LS Passes Paper Leak Bill Amid Opposition Protests, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by the Lok Sabha.
• The Bill aims to strengthen the existing Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 by introducing stricter measures against paper leaks.
• Key amendments include mandating investigations to be completed within two months and empowering states to designate Fast-track Special Courts for trials.
• The Bill's passage occurred amidst Opposition protests concerning alleged police excesses against students during the NEET-UG agitation.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who oversees the Department of Personnel and Training, asserted that "utmost restraint" was exercised during the July 20 protests in Delhi.

Detailed Insights:

• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which the new Bill amends, was enacted to prevent unfair means, cheating, and organized malpractices in national recruitment and entrance examinations.
• The original 2024 Act prescribes imprisonment ranging from 3 to 5 years and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh for individuals involved in unfair means.
• For organized crimes related to paper leaks, the 2024 Act stipulates harsher penalties, including imprisonment between 5 and 10 years and a minimum fine of ₹1 crore.
• The NEET-UG 2026 examination, conducted on May 3, 2026, was cancelled on May 12, 2026, due to allegations of a paper leak and irregularities, triggering widespread student protests.
• These protests, including a "Sansad Chalo" march on July 20, 2026, demanded accountability and comprehensive reforms in the examination system.
• Fast-track Special Courts are dedicated judicial bodies established for the speedy disposal of specific categories of cases, initially focusing on offenses like rape and those under the POCSO Act.
• The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is the nodal agency of the Government of India responsible for formulating and implementing personnel policies, including recruitment, training, and career management for civil servants.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: Central legislation enacted to prevent malpractices and ensure integrity in public examinations.
• NEET-UG: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, a nationwide examination for admission to undergraduate medical and dental programs.
• Fast-track Special Courts: Specialized courts established for the expedited trial and disposal of specific types of cases.
• Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT): The central government's nodal agency for human resource management and policy for the Indian bureaucracy.