India government on Monday tabled a bill to amend The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 in the Lok Sabha.
The bill was introduced by MInister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh, amid opposition protest and sloganeering against the crackdown on NEET protests.
Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 5 p.m. amid sloganeering by opposition after introduction of the bill to amend the anti-paper leak law.
What the bill proposes
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, mandates that investigations into paper leak cases be completed within two months.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which the bill proposes to amend, was enacted to prevent resorting to unfair means in public examinations.
The bill circulated to the Lok Sabha members ahead of its introduction says that individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means in exams will get jail terms for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh.
For organised crimes, the bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to ₹10 crore.
All the states and Union Territories will be directed to set up fast-track courts, which will conduct hearings swiftly and complete the trial within three months of filing of the chargesheet, the bill says.
(With inputs from PTI)
