House clears anti-paper leak Bill, PM says nobody will be spared, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha through voice vote.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that "paper mafia" and gangs involved in leaks would not be spared, emphasizing a reliable education system.
• The Bill significantly enhances punishments for individuals, service providers, and organised groups involved in unfair means during public examinations.
• It introduces provisions for the establishment of Fast-Track Courts and a Special Task Force to expedite investigations and trials.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Amendment Bill strengthens the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which came into effect on June 21, 2024, to curb malpractices in public examinations.
• The impetus for this amendment was the NEET UG 2026 paper leak in May 2026 and subsequent nationwide student protests.
• For individuals, the imprisonment term for unfair means is increased from 3-5 years to 5-10 years, with fines up to Rs 50 lakh.
• Service providers found guilty face fines up to Rs 5 crore and an eight-year ban from conducting examinations, up from Rs 1 crore and a four-year ban.
• Organised crime related to paper leaks now carries a minimum imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 10 crore.
• The Bill mandates a two-month timeline for investigation and a five-month timeline for the trial of offences by Fast-Track Courts.
• The Union government is empowered to establish a Special Task Force to investigate offences under the Act.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: A central law enacted to prevent malpractices and paper leaks in public examinations conducted by specified authorities.
• Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026: Legislation that amends the 2024 Act to introduce stricter penalties and new mechanisms against examination fraud.
• Fast-Track Courts: Special courts established for the speedy trial and disposal of specific categories of cases, aiming to reduce judicial backlogs.
• NEET UG: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), a national-level entrance examination for admission to medical and dental programs in India.