Tough exam leak Bill clears LS, Rahul raises police crackdown, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by Lok Sabha through a voice vote.
• The Bill aims to strengthen the existing Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was enacted on February 12, 2024.
• It introduces stricter penalties for individuals and service providers involved in exam malpractices, including paper leaks.
• The passage occurred amidst acrimonious exchanges and Opposition protests regarding police action against student demonstrators in Delhi.

Detailed Insights:

• The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 27, 2026.
• The amendments were prompted by repeated incidents of paper leaks in competitive exams, such as the NEET, and subsequent student protests.
• For individuals involved in unfair means, the Bill increases imprisonment from 3-5 years to 5-10 years and the maximum fine from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
• Service providers engaging in malpractices face an increased maximum fine from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore and debarment from conducting public examinations for eight years, up from four.
• Penalties for organised crime related to exam leaks are enhanced to 7-10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of ₹10 crore.
• The Bill mandates fast-tracked investigations within two months and speedy trials through Special Fast Track Courts within three months.
• It also empowers the Central government to form a special task force for investigations and appoint Special Public Prosecutors.
• During the debate, remarks made by the Leader of Opposition were expunged from House records by the Speaker.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: A comprehensive national legal framework enacted to prevent unfair means in public examinations conducted by central agencies.
• Voice Vote: A parliamentary voting method where members verbally express their agreement ("Ayes") or disagreement ("Noes"), and the presiding officer determines the majority.
• Expunged Remarks: Words or phrases deemed defamatory, indecent, unparliamentary, or undignified by the Speaker, which are removed from the official records of Parliament.