The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026

• 28 Jul 2026
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On 27 July 2026, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

Purpose of the Amendment Bill

The Amendment Bill aims to strengthen provisions of Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 by streamlining investigations, expediting trials via Special Fast Track Courts, appointing Special Public Prosecutors, ensuring timely resolution of appeals and implementing stricter penalties so as to deter unfair practices as well as organized malpractices pertaining to public examinations.

These proposed amendments have been introduced as a response to recent incidents of question paper leakages as well as organized malpractices related to exams. The goal is to enhance accountability, strengthen deterrence against such offenses and safeguard public examinations’ integrity. 

Proposed Changes in Punishment

Key proposals in bill include increasing punishment for individuals engaging in unfair means from a minimum of three years to a minimum of five years in prison, which is further extendable up to ten years. Furthermore, the maximum fine will rise from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh. For service providers involved in offenses under Act, the bill suggests increasing maximum fine from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 5 crore and extending debarment period from conducting public examinations from four years to eight years. 

In addition, the bill proposes stricter penalties for managerial personnel at service providers like imprisonment for a minimum of five years, which is further extendable up to ten years and an increase in maximum fine from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 5 crore.

To combat organized examination-related crimes more effectively, the Amendment Bill plans to raise minimum prison term from five to seven years, extendable up to ten years and increase the maximum fine from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 10 crore.

Investigation, Trial and Appeals

The bill also grants Central Government authority to refer investigations of offenses under the Act to a Special Task Force created for this purpose. To ensure swift investigations and trials, the bill introduces a new Section 12A. According to this Section, it is mandatory for the investigation to be completed within a period of two months. It designates Courts of Session as Special Fast Track Courts for daily trials of offenses under Act with trials to be completed within three months from the filing of the charge sheet. 

Additionally, Special Public Prosecutors will be assigned to each Special Fast Track Court. New Section 12B will provide that appeals against any judgment, order, or sentence of a Special Fast Track Court must be filed with High Court within thirty days and should ideally be resolved within three months.

About Public Examinations Act 2024

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 enacted on February 12, 2024 and effective from June 21, 2024, provides a comprehensive national legal framework to prevent unfair means in public examinations.

This Act applies to examinations conducted by: 

• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), 

• Staff Selection Commission (SSC), 

• Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), 

• Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), 

• National Testing Agency (NTA), 

• Ministries, 

• Departments of the Central Government and their attached and subordinate offices as well as other authorities notified by the Central Government.

All offenses under this Act are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. It features strict provisions regarding imprisonment, fines and property attachment.

Expected Impact

These proposed amendments are expected to further strengthen legal framework for preventing examination-related malpractices like question paper leakages, impersonation and organized cheating to name a few.

By ensuring swift investigations, expedited trials and timely resolutions of appeals, the Amendment Bill aims to uphold integrity, fairness and transparency of public examinations, protect interests of deserving and qualified candidates and reinforce public confidence in integrity and transparency of country's examination system.

Source:- Press Information Bureau (PIB)