GUWAHATI: The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, July 29, amid a heated debate over the NEET paper leak and allegations of police action against student protesters.
Speaking during the discussion on the Bill, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had authorised police excesses against student protesters and claimed that the RSS had “captured” the education system. His remarks triggered an uproar in the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju objected to Gandhi’s allegations and asked him to clarify the basis for his claims.
Responding to the debate, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the Centre had acted swiftly in the NEET paper leak case. The Bill was introduced by Singh on July 27, days after large-scale student protests led to the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Singh said several clauses of the legislation had been amended after incorporating inputs from various stakeholders.
According to Singh, the proposed amendments seek to substantially increase penalties under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The fine for service providers would be increased from up to ₹1 crore to up to ₹5 crore.
The proposed legislation also raises penalties for individuals involved in unfair means and related offences. According to Singh, imprisonment provisions and fines have been enhanced in several categories under the amended Bill.
For in-charge personnel, the proposed punishment includes imprisonment of five to 10 years, along with a fine of up to ₹5 crore, compared with the earlier provisions.
For organised crime networks, the Bill proposes a minimum seven-year jail term, up from five years, along with a fine of up to ₹10 crore, compared with the earlier maximum fine of ₹1 crore.