New Delhi, July 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a draft bill proposing tougher penalties for paper leaks in competitive examinations, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore for organised offences.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament House complex. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, with the aim of strengthening safeguards against examination malpractices.
According to official sources, the amended law proposes a minimum prison term of five years along with a monetary penalty for individuals found guilty of paper leaks.
For organised paper leak rackets, the draft bill provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 10 crore. The proposed amendments significantly enhance the financial penalties under the existing law, which prescribes three to five years’ imprisonment for individuals and five to 10 years’ imprisonment with a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore for organised offences.
The Cabinet’s approval follows Prime Minister Modi’s announcement earlier in the day that the government would introduce stricter legal measures, including fast-track courts, to tackle examination paper leaks and protect students’ interests.
The proposed amendments are intended to strengthen the integrity of the public examination system and restore confidence among students and parents. The legislation is expected to be introduced in Parliament next week, with additional details, including provisions relating to fast-track trials, likely to be announced during its presentation.
FOLLOW NOW
