Action within 3 months, 10-year jail, Rs 10 crore fine | Centre's plan against paper leaks

The Centre is set to tighten India's anti-paper leak framework by introducing amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, amid continuing nationwide protests over alleged examination paper leaks and demands for greater accountability in the recruitment system.

The proposed changes come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would take additional steps to tackle examination fraud, including establishing fast-track courts for paper leak cases.

According to government sources, the amendments will provide for dedicated fast-track courts to hear offences related to examination leaks. These courts are expected to complete trials and deliver judgments within three months, significantly shortening the time taken to prosecute such cases.

The proposed legislation also seeks to substantially enhance the punishment for those involved in organised paper leak rackets.

Under the revised framework, offenders could face imprisonment of up to 10 years along with fines that may extend to ₹10 crore. At present, the Act prescribes imprisonment ranging from three to five years and fines of up to ₹10 lakh for individuals convicted of offences related to examination malpractice.

The existing law also provides for penalties against service providers that fail to report suspected offences, including fines of up to ₹1 crore. In cases involving organised criminal networks, the current provisions already prescribe imprisonment between five and ten years along with a minimum fine of ₹1 crore.

Sources indicated that the amendment Bill is likely to be introduced in the Lok Sabha next week.

The government's decision comes amid sustained political pressure over recurring allegations of examination paper leaks.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi recently alleged that nearly 150 paper leak incidents had taken place over the past decade while claiming that there had been no convictions. The government has rejected suggestions that it has failed to act, maintaining that multiple investigations are underway and several accused have already been arrested.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the issue twice on Thursday, including through a late-night video message in which he described paper leaks as a matter of deep concern for students and their families.

He said the government had taken several measures over the past few months to protect the interests of candidates and ensure that examinations were conducted without students losing an academic year. The Prime Minister also stated that he had instructed officials to prepare the legal framework for fast-track courts, adding that the proposal would be placed before the Union Cabinet before being introduced in Parliament.

The Prime Minister said the government intended to move quickly on the legislation once Parliament resumed for the second week of the Monsoon Session.

Following the announcement, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the Opposition's demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, maintaining that legislative changes alone would not address concerns over accountability in the examination system.

The proposed amendments represent the government's most significant effort yet to strengthen the legal response to examination fraud, as protests over recruitment and entrance examinations continue across several parts of the country.