Bill placed in India's Lok Sabha to amend anti-paper leaks law with stricter punishment
Seeking to amend the two-year-old anti-paper leak law, the bill has been introduced following the more than month-long protest by the CJP over the NEET-UG paper leak and other issues
The Indian government today (27 July) introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the anti-paper leaks law with stricter punishment of up to 10 years in jail and a Rs 50 lakh fine, days after massive nationwide student protests against the NEET exam paper leak forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as education minister.
The bill was tabled by Minister of State for the PMO Jitendra Singh amidst protests and sloganeering by opposition members demanding a response from the government over the police crackdown on students during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led 20 July 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.
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Soon after the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill was introduced, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House due to continuing protests by the opposition.
Seeking to amend the two-year-old anti-paper leak law, the bill has been introduced following the more than month-long protest by the CJP over the NEET-UG paper leak and other issues.
The bill proposes setting up fast-track courts in every state for speedy trials of the accused and enhancing the punishment.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the media that, "Keeping in mind the demands raised by students across the country, the government introduced the bill to address exam paper leaks and related issues."
He hit out at Congress and some other opposition parties for allegedly refusing to allow a discussion on the bill and disrupting proceedings in the House.
"I appeal to Congress to understand the sentiments of the country's students. The prime minister has taken a major decision to reform the examination system. This landmark bill seeks to prevent paper leaks by introducing strict, time-bound provisions and stringent punishment for those found involved.
"If the opposition does not allow a discussion even on this issue, it will send the wrong message," said Rijiju.
Meanwhile, the speaker urged the government and the opposition to settle differences so that discussion on the paper leak amendment bill can begin.
He also called on the opposition members to participate in the discussion on the bill to prevent paper leaks.
Meanwhile, proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were also hit by vociferous protest by the opposition MPs over police action against students protesting against NEET paper leak.
BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan was welcomed by some of his party leaders in the Parliament complex today amid slogans like "Pradhan zindabad".
Opposition MPs at the same time shouted slogans like "Chor Chor, Paper Chor" and hit out at the ruling dispensation for felicitating Pradhan.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "These are the same people who even welcomed the rapists in the Bilkis Bano case, so let's leave them aside. Pradhan is an RSS hero because he implemented the RSS agenda through the education ministry. That's why he's their hero."
