Amendment Bill 2026 is an effort made to ensure that the law dealing with examination-related offences is strengthened. It was presented in Lok Sabha on 24 July 2026 with the aim of making changes to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 in order to enhance the integrity of the examination process.
The most crucial aspect of the bill includes the significant rise in the punishment and penalties imposed. This is because the bill suggests an increase in jail sentences for any offence committed under the Act, increases the amount of penalties imposed on the individual and service providers and their managers, and even raises the minimum penalties imposed for organised crime linked to public examinations.
Equally important is the introduction of Special Fast Track Courts to try cases relating to the violations of this Act. These courts will try the case daily and ensure that the trial is concluded within three months of the submission of the chargesheet. An appeal in such a matter can be filed before the High Court by a Division Bench of two judges.
What Is the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026?
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 24 July 2026 to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. It is an amendment to the existing law and does not constitute any standalone legislation.
As per the Bill, the purpose of the amendment is to improve the laws pertaining to the offences associated with unfair means in public examinations. This Bill seeks to increase imprisonment periods and fines, to provide for time-bound investigations, to establish special task forces, to designate special fast track courts, and to provide for appeal in the High Court.
As per the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the objects of the amendment include improving the fairness and credibility of public examinations, providing for speedy trial, time-bound investigation, conducting of proceedings daily, completing trial within a period of three months, appointment of special public prosecutors, and imposition of severe punishments for offences committed under the Act.
Why Has the Government Proposed This Amendment?
As per the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill, the amendment has been proposed to further strengthen the present framework of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The main objectives as per the Bill are:
- Improvement of the fairness of public examinations
- Improvement of the credibility and integrity of the examination process
- Trial of offences under the Act at a fast pace
- Timely investigation of offences under the Act
- Formation of Special Task Forces for conducting investigations
- Creation of Special Fast Track Courts for offences under the Act
- Proceedings in court on a daily basis
- Completion of trials within the stipulated period
- Special appeals in High Court in respect of decisions taken by Special Fast Track Courts
- Imprisonment and monetary fines for offences
These amendments are presented by the Bill as steps towards creating a more streamlined and effective process in law for handling offences committed during public examinations.
What Are the Major Changes Proposed in the Bill?
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 introduces enhanced penalties and enforcement provisions in the 2024 Act. The main amendments could be categorised into four broad heads.
1. Higher punishment for offences under Section 10
In respect of offences that come under Section 10, the Bill introduces an enhancement in the minimum imprisonment from 3 years to 5 years and the maximum imprisonment from 5 years to 10 years. The Bill also increases the maximum fine from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
2. Higher penalties for service providers
In case of involvement of service providers in any offence under the Act, the maximum fine is increased from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore. Additionally, the period of disbarment from conducting public examination is also increased from 4 years to 8 years.
3. Higher liability for directors and senior management
Under the Bill, the liability of directors, senior management and the person who conduct the business of the service provider has been enhanced further. The minimum jail term will rise from 3 years to 5 years, whereas the proposed minimum fine will increase from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore.
4. Stronger punishment for organised crime
With regard to the organised crime related to public examinations under Section 11, the Bill provides an enhancement of the minimum jail term from 5 years to 7 years. The minimum fine will be significantly enhanced from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore.
It can be seen that these recommended amendments are definitely moving in the direction of punishment and increased accountability, and strict legal measures for organised crimes relating to public examinations.
2024 Act vs 2026 Amendment Bill: What Has Changed?
The key amendments that have been proposed under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026 are set out in the table below:
Provision | 2024 Act | 2026 Amendment Bill |
Imprisonment for offences under Section 10 | 3 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years |
Fine for offences under Section 10 | Up to ₹10 lakh | Up to ₹50 lakh |
Fine for service providers | Up to ₹1 crore | Up to ₹5 crore |
Debarment of service providers | 4 years | 8 years |
Directors and senior management – minimum imprisonment | 3 years | 5 years |
Directors and senior management – fine | ₹1 crore | ₹5 crore |
Organised crime – minimum imprisonment | 5 years | 7 years |
Organised crime – minimum fine | ₹1 crore | ₹10 crore |
Time-bound investigation | Not specified | Investigation within 2 months |
Special Task Force | No specific provision | May be constituted by the Central Government |
Special Fast Track Courts | No specific provision | Mandatory designation of courts |
Day-to-day trial | Not specified | Required unless reasons recorded |
Trial completion timeline | Not specified | Within 3 months of chargesheet |
Appeal mechanism | No special appeal provision | Appeal to High Court (Division Bench) |
Appeal against bail orders | Not specifically provided | Specifically permitted |
In summary, besides raising imprisonment and fines, the 2026 Amendment Bill also provides for an investigation that is bound by time, the Special Fast Track Courts, day-to-day trials, and a High Court of Appeals, thereby rendering the proposed structure more stringent and organised compared to the 2024 Act.
What Is the New Punishment for Exam Paper Leak Offences?
According to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026, the period of imprisonment along with fines for acts under the 2024 Act will be enhanced. This will depend on the type of offender.
1. General offences
The Bill suggests the following for offences committed under Section 10 of the Act of 2024:
- Minimum imprisonment: 5 years
- Maximum imprisonment: 10 years
- Fine: up to ₹50 lakh
This is higher than the previous penalty of imprisonment for 3 to 5 years and a fine up to ₹10 lakh.
2. Service providers
In cases where the service provider is charged with committing an offence as per the Act, the Bill recommends the following:
- Fine: up to ₹5 crore
- Debarment from conducting public examinations: 8 years
In comparison to the 2024 Act, the previous maximum fine and disqualification period was 4 years.
3. Directors and management
Under the proposed Bill, for the directors, senior management or persons conducting the business of the service provider:
- Minimum imprisonment: 5 years
- Maximum imprisonment: 10 years
- Fine: ₹5 crore
The minimum jail term has been enhanced from 3 years, while the fine has been enhanced to ₹1 crore.
4. Organised crime
With regards to organised crime involving public examinations under Section 11, the Bill suggests the following:
- Minimum imprisonment: 7 years
- Maximum imprisonment: 10 years
- Minimum fine: ₹10 crore
The former minimum penalty was 5 years of imprisonment and a fine of not less than ₹1 crore.
The above changes indicate that the Bill introduces a much harsher punishment regime, particularly the highest fines for organised crime and business entities engaged in such offences.
What Is a Special Task Force Under the Bill?
The most significant change suggested by the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 is that the Central Government may constitute the Special Task Force (STF) via the medium of notifications. This is done by amendment to Section 12 of the Act of 2024.
As per the amendment, the offences can be investigated by either:
- an officer empowered under the Act,
- a Central Investigating Agency, or
- a Special Task Force constituted by the Central Government.
The Bill further specifies that, in case of constitution of the Special Task Force by the Central Government, the investigation shall be conducted only by the Special Task Force thus formed. In such cases, the idea is not to conduct the investigation simultaneously by another investigating agency.
This bill does not create a permanent STF at a national level. It simply makes provisions for the constitution of the Special Task Force for investigation under the Act.
What Is the Two-Month Investigation Rule?
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 incorporates a new Section 12A, through which a mechanism for time-bound investigation for offences in respect of this Act has been introduced.
As per the proposed provision, investigation of the offence shall be carried out within a period of two months by the authority competent to carry out such investigation of the offence under Section 12 of the Act.
This two-month period will start from the date mentioned in Clause 12A(1). The objective behind introducing this amendment is to ensure that investigations in respect of this Act are time-bound.
What Are Special Fast Track Courts?
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 suggests the introduction of Special Fast Track Courts for offences committed under the Act. The idea is to ensure that the case be tried by way of a special and expedited judicial process.
According to the proposed provision, it is mandatory for every State Government and every Administration of Union Territories to designate the Court of Sessions as a Special Fast Track Court for the purpose of this Act. Such designation cannot be done arbitrarily but after consultations with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
After such designation, the Special Fast Track Court will have the jurisdiction to try offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 as amended by the 2026 Bill.
Will Trials Be Conducted Day-to-Day and Completed Within Three Months?
Yes. According to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, the trial in the Special Fast Track Court will be held day-by-day. In case of granting any adjournment beyond the next day, the reasons thereof have to be recorded in writing.
The Bill provides for a clear period for completion of the trial procedure. After filing the chargesheet, the Special Fast Track Court is to complete the trial procedure in three months from the date of filing of the chargesheet.
In a case where the case is pending already according to the Act and is then transferred to the Special Fast Track Court, it is required to complete the trial procedure within three months from the receipt by the special court of the transferred case.
Thus, the day-to-day hearing requirement and the three-month trial completion period indicate the purpose of the Bill to provide for a faster and more organised trial process for the offence in question.
Can the Decision Be Appealed Under the Public Examinations Act?
Yes. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 makes provisions regarding the appellate process for any decision made by the Special Fast Track Court through insertion of new Section 12B.
1. Appeal to the High Court
An appeal can be made to the High Court regarding any judgment, sentence or order passed by the Special Fast Track Court under the Act.
2. Division Bench of Two Judges
According to the Bill, an appeal will have to be heard by a Division Bench comprised of two judges of the High Court.
3. Appeal Against Bail Orders
The provision in the Bill further enables the right to appeal against orders relating to granting or refusal of bail.
4. 30-Day Limitation and 90-Day Outer Limit
Appeal must be made within 30 days of the judgment, sentence or order. High Court can allow the delay in filing an appeal if sufficient cause is shown. However, the Bill clearly states that no appeal will be entertained beyond 90 days of the order.
The Bill further states that such appeals must be disposed of as far as possible within three months from the date of admission of the appeal.
What the Bill Does NOT Say?
In order to eliminate any misunderstanding, it is essential to separate the text of the Bill from statements that have been made in the media and other public forums. According to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha, the following sections are not included in the Bill:
- There is no provision for automatic property seizure or asset attachment
- There is no provision for compulsory CBI inquiry
- There is no provision for a lifetime ban on students
- There is no provision for the death penalty
- There is no provision for automatic annulment of all examinations
- There is no mention of NEET, JEE, CUET, SSC, UPSC or any particular examination
- There is no provision regarding AI, blockchain, encryption or other technological reforms
- There is no provision for a perpetual national anti-paper leak agency
This is important since the Bill mainly seeks to increase punishment, time-bound investigations, Special Task Force, Special Fast Track Courts, and an appeal process. Anything beyond what has been provided for above needs to be cross-checked with the provisions of the Bill itself.
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