The Central government is trying to reinforce India’s anti paper leak framework, by bringing in amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and yes adding harsher punishments as well as mandatory fast track courts so the cases linked to examination paper leaks can move sooner.

As per sources, the draft amendment Bill is likely to be placed before the Union Cabinet on Friday, and then later introduced in Parliament next week.

Fast-Track Courts for Paper Leak Cases

One of the main aspects of the proposed legislation is to set up compulsory fast track courts for matters connected with paper leaks and examination cheating. The intention is to make sure quicker probing and prompt trials, specifically where there is organised cheating, or other unfair practices.

The government is also expected to revisit the penalties under the existing law by pushing the highest jail term beyond the current limit of 10 years, so offenders face more serious consequences. This upgraded punishment is likely to spread across multiple sections of the Act.

Existing Law May Get Stronger

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was brought in to address paper leaks, organised cheating, and other wrongdoing in public examinations run by agencies like the UPSC, SSC, and the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Right now the law provides penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment , and fines up to ₹1 crore for those convicted for taking part in paper leak rackets, or for examination fraud.

PM Modi Announces Tougher Measures

The proposed amendments arrive a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Union Cabinet would deliberate on a tougher anti-cheating law in order to guarantee harsher punishment for offenders.

In a recorded message posted on social media late Thursday night, the Prime Minister said the Cabinet would finalise the proposal, before bringing the Bill in Parliament during the ongoing session.

Modi also shared the government decision to set up fast-track courts for paper leak issues, and said the aim is to push for quick justice and protect the sanctity of India’s exam system.

Focus on NEET-UG paper leak

The Prime Minister said the government has been working for the past two and a half months to deal with worries that came up around the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. He mentioned steps taken so that students did not lose an academic year, and said exams for almost 22 lakh candidates were carried out and results were released.

This announcement arrived not long after the Centre replaced the Education Secretary, even as protests continue and protesters are still pressing for higher accountability over the NEET-UG examination controversy.

Officials also said that the Prime Minister’s Office, or PMO, has been keeping a close eye on NEET developments, including talks with the Education Ministry on examination reforms, possible retests, and the recommendations from the K. Radhakrishnan Committee regarding changes for the National Testing Agency, NTA.

The amendments being proposed are expected to feed into the government’s wider plan to reinforce public assessment systems and discourage organised paper leak networks by using stricter legal measures.