Lok Sabha Debates Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026

The Lok Sabha has initiated a rigorous debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced on July 27 to combat organized examination malpractices. The proposed legislation seeks to significantly harden penalties, proposing 5-10 years of imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore for serious offences, while service providers could face up to ₹5 crore in fines. The bill also mandates the creation of Special Fast Track Courts to ensure investigations are completed within two months and trials within three months, aiming to restore systemic trust.

Opposition leaders have voiced strong skepticism regarding the efficacy of the proposed measures, characterizing the bill as an insufficient deterrent. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the reliance on a single high-stakes examination model, calling for broader educational reforms rather than just punitive actions. Meanwhile, leaders from the AIMIM and TMC questioned the government's priorities, with Asaduddin Owaisi satirically suggesting that force should not be the primary response to leaks. Objections were also raised regarding the failure to address the core issues of the NEET medical entrance exam, with calls from the DMK to scrap the system entirely.

Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh maintained that the legislation is essential for safeguarding students' futures, noting that the issue of paper leaks transcends regional political boundaries. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju indicated a willingness to extend the duration of the debate to ensure all concerns are aired. The government remains focused on passing the legislation to demonstrate a commitment to a transparent and trustworthy examination system, despite the intense parliamentary pushback and broader concerns regarding accountability and the systemic capacity to meet the bill's ambitious legal timelines.