Anti-paper leak Bill proposing stricter punishment introduced in Lok Sabha; House to discuss proposal today

PTI, July 27, 2026, New Delhi: The Union Government on Monday introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the anti-paper leak law with stricter punishment of up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, within days of large-scale student protests against the NEET fiasco rocking the nation that forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as Education Minister.

The proposed legislation was introduced by Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh amidst protests and sloganeering by the Opposition demanding a response from the government over the police crackdown on students during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led July 20 protest march to Parliament.

According to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, investigations into paper leak cases are to be completed within two months.

The Bill says that individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means in examinations will get jail terms for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.

For organised crimes, the Bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.

The present law has provisions for a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment to curb cheating, and those involved in organised crimes of cheating face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.

All the states and Union Territories will be empowered to set up fast-track courts, which will conduct hearings swiftly and complete the trial within three months of filing of the charge sheet, according to the Bill.

The Centre will be empowered to set up a special task force to investigate cases of paper leaks in certain circumstances, it says.

After the introduction of the Bill, Speaker Om Birla, in accordance with the procedure, called the names of senior Opposition leaders like Saugata Roy (TMC), Manish Tewari (Congress), and N. K. Premachandran (RSP), who wanted to speak against the introduction of the Bill.

As none spoke, Minister Singh was asked to introduce the Bill.

After the introduction, Birla asked the members to participate in the discussion as all parties have been demanding a discussion on the NEET paper leaks.

"It is the first step towards improving the public examination process. Instead of sloganeering, you should discuss the Bill in the House. The government will try and incorporate the improvements suggested by you," Birla said.

As the Opposition protests continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm.

The government announced it was bringing in the proposed legislation after student protests led by the CJP over the NEET paper leak issue gained momentum.

Protests by Opposition parties over the NEET issue led to a washout of proceedings in the first session of Parliament.

The Opposition's stand on the new Bill is still not clear, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi saying they will act on the basis of consensus.

Later in the day, it surfaced that the stalemate in the Lok Sabha is likely to end on Tuesday as Speaker Birla has convinced leaders of all political parties to take up discussion on the Bill to amend the anti-paper leak law, Parliamentary sources said.

"All political parties have agreed to discuss the anti-paper leak Bill on Tuesday. Following Om Birla's initiative and sustained dialogue, floor leaders of political parties have agreed to commence discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026," a source said.

Since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, the Opposition has been raising the NEET paper leak issue, due to which no legislative business could be taken up so far, except for the introduction of two Bills.