After NEET Controversy, Centre Brings Amendment Bill to Fast-Track Exam Fraud Cases
Mumbai: In a major legislative move aimed at strengthening the integrity of India’s examination system, the Central Government is set to introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The proposed legislation comes against the backdrop of nationwide protests over alleged examination irregularities and the recent resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Also Read: Pralhad Joshi Takes Over Education Ministry as Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid NEET Protest Row
Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, is expected to seek the House’s permission to introduce the amendment bill, which proposes a series of legal and procedural reforms to tackle organised examination fraud and paper leak cases.
The Bill seeks to strengthen the existing law by introducing seven major amendments focused on improving investigations, expediting trials, and enhancing accountability in cases involving public examinations. The move follows the controversy surrounding the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which sparked protests across several parts of the country.
One of the key provisions of the proposed legislation is the creation of Special Fast-Track Courts dedicated exclusively to offences under the Act. State governments and Union Territory administrations will be empowered to designate Courts of Session for this purpose, ensuring that cases related to examination malpractice receive priority.
The amendment also prescribes strict timelines for legal proceedings. Investigations into offences under the Act will have to be completed within two months, while trials in the designated fast-track courts must be conducted on a day-to-day basis and concluded within three months of the filing of the chargesheet.
To deal with complex or inter-state examination fraud, the Centre will have the authority to establish a Special Task Force capable of handling large-scale investigations involving multiple jurisdictions.
The proposed law further allows state governments and Union Territories to appoint specialised prosecutors for cases related to examination malpractice, with the objective of improving conviction rates and ensuring effective prosecution.
The amendment bill also proposes tougher punishments for those involved in organised paper leaks, including coaching institutes, middlemen, service providers, and other entities found guilty of facilitating examination fraud. The revised law is expected to include stricter prison terms and higher financial penalties to deter future offences.
The introduction of the legislation comes after weeks of political and public pressure over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. Parliament’s ongoing Monsoon Session has witnessed repeated disruptions, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the government over paper leak incidents.
The issue gained further prominence following a 37-day protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) along with activist Sonam Wangchuk. The agitation concluded after multiple rounds of discussions between CJP representatives and Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, followed by Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation from the Union Council of Ministers.
Although the protest has been withdrawn after assurances from the government, the proposed amendment bill is expected to face close scrutiny during the parliamentary session. Its passage is being viewed as a crucial step in restoring public confidence in India’s examination system and addressing growing concerns over transparency, fairness, and accountability in competitive exams.
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