The battle over examination reforms intensified in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday as Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh strongly defended the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, describing it as a landmark step to secure the future of students and eliminate organised examination fraud. Introducing the legislation in the Upper House, Singh said the proposed amendments demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and credibility in public examinations.
The minister noted that the Bill had already cleared the Lok Sabha after extensive discussions and expressed hope that the Rajya Sabha would deliberate on it in the same spirit.
Government Calls Bill a Shield for Students
Opening the debate, Singh said the legislation goes beyond legal reform and represents a commitment to India’s youth.
“This bill, as all of know, has been passed by the Lower House, 10 hours of discussion time was allotted over there. Discussion did take place notwithstanding frequent interruptions and notwithstanding the fact that the entire reply was made in the din. Now, the bill has come to the Upper House. The house of elders, the house of seniors, the house of wiser, the house of maturer,” Singh said while introducing the Bill.
Emphasising its objective, he added, “The Anti-Paper Leak Bill is a reaffirmation of the government’s highest commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the students and youth of this country.”
Opposition Accused of Protecting ‘Vested Interests’
Launching a political attack, the minister questioned why previous governments had failed to enact a comprehensive anti-paper leak law despite repeated recommendations over several decades.
Singh argued that the Modi government had finally implemented reforms that had remained pending for years.
“…In an honest bid to carry forward what could have been carried forward by the earlier governments, the Public Examinations Bill, 2024, was brought in January 2024. It was enacted in February 2024, implemented in June, and also notified in June 2024. The Bill’s main objective at that time was to give greater transparency. That is precisely the reason you didn’t bring the Bill. It was to bring greater transparency, greater credibility. And I’m not saying this. There is a strong opinion in this country that this agency was not brought in because there were certain vested interests involved, which were not compatible with transparency. But here, it was a noble thought to reassure the youth that their sincere and genuine efforts would not go unrewarded in the hands of a few vested interests, and to ensure that their future would not be jeopardised by self-seeking governments of today.”
NTA’s Origin Also Highlighted
During his speech, Singh recalled that the idea of creating the National Testing Agency (NTA) had first emerged in the early 1990s and was repeatedly recommended by expert committees before finally being implemented under the Narendra Modi government.
Highlighting the long delay, he said, “The concept was reiterated by several committees over the years, and in 2010 too, a committee strongly recommended setting up such an agency. I am sure they (the Opposition) will appreciate and thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the unfinished task is being completed.”
What the Amendment Bill Proposes
The proposed amendments seek to significantly strengthen India’s legal framework against examination malpractice. Key provisions include:
- Completion of paper leak investigations within two months.
- Jail terms ranging from five to ten years for individuals involved in paper leaks.
- Fines of up to ₹50 lakh for offenders.
- Up to ₹10 crore penalty for organised examination fraud syndicates.
- Creation of fast-track courts to complete trials within three months.
- Power for the Centre to establish a special task force for complex investigations.
The amendment has been brought in following widespread outrage over examination paper leak controversies and aims to tighten enforcement while ensuring quicker prosecution of offenders.
