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Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026: 5-10 Years Jail, Rs 50 Lakh Fine for Paper Leaks

PolitySocial IssuesCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
27 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:5-10 years jailRs 50 lakh fine7 years minimum jailRs 10 crore fine2 months investigation3 months trial
Bodies:Lok SabhaMinistry of EducationPrime Minister's Office
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What This Article Covers

1.The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, increases jail term from 3-5 years to 5-10 years and fine from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for paper leaks.

2.Organized paper leak crimes will attract minimum 7 years jail and fine up to Rs 10 crore.

3.The bill mandates two-month investigation deadline and fast-track courts to complete trial within three months; states/UTs empowered to set up such courts.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The government has introduced the Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026, increasing penalties for paper leaks to 5-10 years imprisonment and Rs 50 lakh fine, with a two-month investigation deadline. This follows nationwide student protests demanding action against exam malpractices. The bill also empowers fast-track courts and a special task force.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Minimum Jail Term (Individual)5 years
Maximum Jail Term (Individual)10 years
Fine (Individual)Rs 50 lakh
Minimum Jail Term (Organized)7 years
Fine (Organized)Rs 10 crore
Investigation Deadline2 months
Trial Deadline3 months

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Minimum Jail Term (Individual): 5 years
  • ›Maximum Jail Term (Individual): 10 years
  • ›Target this Data: 5-10 years jail, Rs 50 lakh fine (individual); 7 years minimum, Rs 10 crore fine (organized).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Education (primary responsibility) – Bill introduced by MoS PMO Jitendra Singh.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 amending the 2024 Act.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is primarily responsible for the administration of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026:

1. The amendment increases the maximum jail term for individuals from 3 years to 5 years.

2. For organized paper leaks, the minimum sentence is 7 years and fine up to Rs 10 crore.

3. The bill mandates a three-month deadline for the completion of investigation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

Under the 2026 amendment, what is the maximum fine that can be imposed on an individual convicted of involvement in paper leaks?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary purpose of the provision allowing states and Union Territories to set up fast-track courts under the Amendment Bill?

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