New Anti-Leak Bill Mandates Fast-Track Trials and Federal Task Force

Revised Legal Framework Targets Educational Graft

In response to persistent unrest over national examination integrity, Minister of State Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on July 27, 2026. This legislative push follows over a month of demonstrations by students and Opposition figures regarding the NEET-UG paper leak. The proposed changes update the existing 2024 statute to provide more aggressive enforcement mechanisms and judicial speed.

Strict Timelines for Investigation and Prosecution

The amendment introduces mandatory deadlines to prevent legal stagnation in paper leak cases. Under the new rules, investigations must reach a conclusion within two months of initiation. To further accelerate the judicial process, the bill proposes the following:

• State and Union Territory governments may designate specific Courts of Session as Special Fast Track Courts.
• Proceedings must occur daily, with a legal mandate to complete trials within ninety days of a chargesheet filing.
• Appeals against rulings will go before a High Court Division Bench, with a required disposal period of three months from admission.

Enhanced Enforcement and Federal Oversight

To bolster the investigative capacity of the state, the central government reserves the power to assemble a Special Task Force (STF) whenever circumstances necessitate federal intervention. At the regional level, administrations can appoint Special Public Prosecutors dedicated solely to managing these cases. Beyond procedural speed, the bill increases both the financial penalties and the duration of imprisonment for those found guilty of compromising examination security. This legislative move, cleared by the Union Cabinet on Friday, seeks to restore public trust in the examination system following the procedural failures reported during the 2026 Monsoon session.

Source: The Hindu — Home