New Anti-Cheating Law Signed by President to Combat Exam Paper Leaks

In a significant move to address the growing concerns over cheating in public examinations, President Droupadi Murmu has officially signed the 2026 Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Amendment Act into law. This decision follows a vote in Parliament that occurred just a day earlier and comes in the wake of widespread protests led by youth across the country, protesting against alleged irregularities in competitive exams.

The recently enacted amendments introduce severe penalties for those caught using unfair means during examinations. Under the new provisions, the punishment for such offenses has been escalated from a maximum of three to five years to a more stringent five to ten years of imprisonment. Additionally, the financial penalties for these crimes have been raised dramatically, with the maximum fine now set at Rs 50 lakh, a significant increase from the previous limit of Rs 10 lakh.

A pivotal feature of this legislation is the establishment of a Special Task Force by the Union government, dedicated to investigating cases of paper leak offenses. This task force, alongside police and central investigative agencies, will be mandated to complete their investigations within a two-month timeframe. Furthermore, to expedite the judicial process, state governments and Union Territories are required to establish specialized fast-track courts that will handle cases under this new Act. Existing cases will also be relocated to these courts, which are expected to resolve them within three months.

For particularly organized instances of cheating, the Act stipulates even harsher penalties, including a minimum prison sentence of seven years and fines that can reach up to Rs 10 crore. The legislation meticulously outlines 15 distinct offenses that are prohibited, such as leaking exam papers, tampering with answer sheets, and creating fraudulent websites.

The recent unrest among students, which sparked nationwide protests, highlighted the urgent need for stricter regulations and enforcement in the examination process. By implementing these amendments, the government aims to restore integrity and trust in educational assessments, ensuring that merit prevails over malpractices. As implementation of this law begins, stakeholders in the education sector and students alike will be watching closely to see its impact on examination integrity and fairness.

Source: scroll.in