New Delhi, July 31, 2026: The Central Government has introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, proposing stricter punishments, faster investigations, dedicated Special Task Forces (STFs), and mandatory Fast Track Courts to strengthen India's examination system against paper leaks and organised exam fraud.
The proposed legislation builds on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aiming to protect millions of students appearing for government recruitment and public examinations every year.
Why the amendment was introduced
While the 2024 Act established India's first dedicated legal framework to curb examination malpractice, repeated incidents of question paper leaks, organised cheating, and examination scams highlighted the need for stronger enforcement.
The amendment seeks to:
- Increase punishment for offenders.
- Ensure time-bound investigations.
- Establish Special Task Forces for complex cases.
- Mandate Fast Track Courts for speedy trials.
- Introduce a structured appeal mechanism for affected candidates.
Tougher punishment proposed
The amendment significantly enhances imprisonment terms and financial penalties.
| Category | 2024 Act | Amendment Bill 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Individual offenders | 3–5 years imprisonment; fine up to ₹10 lakh | 5–10 years imprisonment; fine up to ₹50 lakh |
| Service providers | Fine up to ₹1 crore; 4-year ban | Fine up to ₹5 crore; 8-year ban |
| Directors & senior management | 3–10 years imprisonment; ₹1 crore fine | 5–10 years imprisonment; ₹5 crore fine |
| Organised exam fraud syndicates | 5–10 years imprisonment; minimum ₹1 crore fine | 7–10 years imprisonment; minimum ₹10 crore fine |
Special Task Force for investigations
One of the key changes proposed is the creation of Special Task Forces (STFs) for investigating major examination fraud cases.
Once constituted, the STF will have exclusive authority to investigate the assigned case, reducing inter-agency overlap and improving coordination.
Mandatory two-month investigation timeline
The amendment also introduces a fixed timeline for investigations.
Under the proposed law, investigations conducted by:
- Police officers,
- Central investigation agencies, or
- Special Task Forces
must be completed within two months from the date of:
- FIR registration,
- Transfer of the case to a central agency, or
- Formal assignment to the STF.
The government says this will enable quicker prosecution while providing timely relief to affected candidates.
Fast Track Courts for quicker justice
The Bill makes provisions for mandatory Fast Track Courts to hear examination fraud cases, aiming to reduce delays and ensure quicker convictions in serious offences.
Government's objective
According to the government, the amendment is designed to preserve the integrity, transparency and credibility of India's public examination system by imposing stronger deterrents against organised cheating networks while safeguarding the interests of genuine candidates.
The proposed law is expected to strengthen confidence in government recruitment examinations by ensuring stricter accountability and faster legal action against those involved in paper leaks and examination fraud.
