Centre Tables Anti-Paper Leak Bill in Parliament Amid Opposition Protests

New Delhi/ Bhopal July 27, 2026

The Centre on Monday introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, proposing tougher measures to curb paper leaks and examination fraud. The legislation was taken up amid noisy scenes in Parliament, with Opposition members continuing their protests over education-related issues and other demands.

According to agency reports, the Bill proposes stricter punishment for organised examination fraud, higher financial penalties, time-bound investigations and trials, and the setting up of Special Task Forces to investigate serious paper leak cases. The government has described the amendments as a step towards protecting the integrity of public examinations and restoring confidence among students and job aspirants.

As the House took up the Bill, Opposition MPs raised slogans and pressed for discussions on issues they have been demanding since the start of the Monsoon Session. The protests led to repeated interruptions, although the government continued with its scheduled legislative business.

The proposed amendments seek to strengthen the existing Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Among the key changes are enhanced punishment for organised paper leak rackets, steeper fines, faster investigation and trial, and greater accountability for agencies and service providers involved in conducting public examinations.

The government has maintained that repeated incidents of paper leaks in competitive examinations have affected the future of lakhs of students and made stronger legal safeguards necessary. It has urged all political parties to participate in the debate on the legislation.

Opposition parties, while demanding discussions on wider issues relating to the education sector, questioned the government's handling of recent examination-related controversies. Despite the disruptions, the anti-paper leak Bill remained one of the key items on the government's legislative agenda for the day.

The Bill is expected to come up for detailed discussion and further legislative consideration during the ongoing Monsoon Session as Parliament continues to take up key government business amid political differences.