New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by a voice vote, seeking to strengthen the legal framework against examination malpractices with stricter penalties, faster investigations and dedicated courts.
Replying to the debate, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh said the amendments are aimed at safeguarding the integrity, transparency and credibility of public examinations while ensuring speedy justice in cases of organised exam-related crimes.
The minister said the amendments significantly enhance punishments for those involved in unfair means. The imprisonment term has been increased from three to five years to five to ten years, while the maximum fine has been raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh. For service providers found guilty, the maximum fine has been increased from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore, and the debarment period from conducting public examinations has been extended from four years to eight years.
The Bill also increases punishment for directors and senior management of erring service providers to five to ten years’ imprisonment with fines of up to ₹5 crore. In cases involving organised examination-related crime, the prison term has been enhanced to seven to ten years, while the maximum fine has been raised to ₹10 crore.
To ensure swift disposal of cases, the legislation provides for the establishment of Special Fast Track Courts, with investigations to be completed within two months and trials within three months of filing the charge sheet. It also provides for the appointment of Special Public Prosecutors and empowers the government to constitute a Special Task Force to investigate offences under the Act.
Jitendra Singh said the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 already covers examinations conducted by agencies such as the UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, IBPS and NTA. He added that 52 FIRs have been registered under the 2024 law so far, underscoring the government’s commitment to curbing examination fraud.
The minister said the amendments are intended to protect the interests of honest students and job aspirants while strengthening public confidence in the fairness and credibility of the country’s examination system.
