New Anti-Leak Law Proposes 10-Year Prison Terms and Ten Crore Fines
The Union government's draft amendment drastically raises penalties for examination fraud and organized paper leaks. New measures include specialized task forces and fast-track courts to ensure swift legal outcomes.
Tighter Sanctions for Examination Fraud
In a direct response to public outcry and student demonstrations, the Union government is set to introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026. This legislation, approved by the Cabinet on Friday, significantly escalates the legal consequences for individuals and syndicates involved in compromising public exams. Under the new draft, individuals caught using unfair means face prison sentences between five and 10 years, up from the current three-to-five-year range. Financial penalties for these individuals will also climb from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
Targeting Organized Exam Syndicates
The amendment specifically addresses systemic corruption by toughening the stance on organized crime within the testing sector. For large-scale operations or group-led malpractices, the minimum imprisonment period will rise from five years to seven years. The financial deterrent for such entities is set for a massive increase, shifting from a baseline of Rs 1 crore to a minimum of Rs 10 crore. These changes are intended to bolster the integrity of assessments conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, the Staff Selection Commission, the Railway Recruitment Board, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, and the National Testing Agency.
Expedited Investigations and Fast-Track Trials
To ensure swift justice, the Bill introduces structural changes to the investigation and judicial process. Proposed measures include:
- Special Task Force: A dedicated unit will be established to probe exam-related offenses, mandated to conclude investigations within a two-month window.
- Special Fast-Track Courts: Every state and Union Territory, in coordination with high court Chief Justices, will designate specific sessions courts to handle these cases on a day-to-day basis.
- Strict Legal Timelines: The legislation requires the completion of trials within three months of a chargesheet being filed. Pending cases will automatically transfer to these new courts once the Act takes effect.
Minister of State Jitendra Singh noted that while the 2024 Act established a national framework, these updates are vital to protecting the transparency of the examination system. The legislative push follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to reform after the NEET-UG paper leak controversy led to calls for the Education Minister's resignation.
Source: Indian Express
