New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has approved a law aimed at cracking down on question paper leaks and exam-related fraud, paving the way for stricter punishment and quicker trials in cases involving public examinations.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026 received presidential assent after being passed by both Houses of Parliament earlier this week. The approval was notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice through a gazette notification.
The amended law introduces several measures to strengthen the country’s response to examination malpractices, including the establishment of fast-track courts in every state to ensure that paper leak cases are heard and decided without unnecessary delays.
One of the key provisions of the law is a fixed timeline for investigations. Authorities will now be required to complete investigations into paper leak cases within two months, allowing prosecution to begin much sooner than under the existing system.
The legislation also significantly increases the penalties for those found guilty of leaking question papers or using unfair means during public examinations.
Individuals convicted under the law can face a prison term ranging from a minimum of five years to a maximum of 10 years. In addition, courts can impose fines of up to Rs 50 lakh.
The law takes an even tougher stance against organised networks involved in examination fraud. Those found guilty of running or participating in organised paper leak rackets can face a minimum jail term of seven years along with fines that may extend up to Rs 10 crore.
The amendment comes amid growing concerns over repeated paper leak incidents across the country, which have disrupted major recruitment and entrance examinations and affected the careers of thousands of students.
The government has maintained that stronger legal provisions are necessary to protect the credibility of public examinations and restore confidence among candidates.
