Lok Sabha Begins Debate on Anti-Paper Leak Bill After Week-Long Deadlock

New Delhi, Jul 28: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday began discussion on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, bringing to an end a week-long legislative stalemate caused by Opposition protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. Opening the debate, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh described the proposed legislation as a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to protecting students and ensuring the integrity of public examinations. He said the Modi government had enacted the original anti-paper leak law in 2024 to tackle examination malpractices and that the latest amendments would further strengthen its provisions. “Paper leak incidents have occurred in states governed by different political parties. This amendment is intended to make the law more stringent and reinforce our commitment to safeguarding the interests of students and youth,” Singh told the House. The amendment Bill seeks to introduce tougher penalties for those involved in examination fraud, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh for paper leaks and related offences. During the debate, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP N. K. Premachandran moved a proposal seeking to circulate the Bill for wider stakeholder consultations until December 1, arguing that broader feedback would help strengthen the legislation. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday amid persistent sloganeering by Opposition members demanding a government response to the police action during the July 20 student protest march to Parliament over the NEET examination controversy. No discussion could take place on Monday due to repeated disruptions. Since the Monsoon Session commenced on July 20, the Opposition has consistently raised the NEET paper leak issue, resulting in repeated adjournments and delaying legislative business. With the deadlock finally broken, the House has now taken up detailed consideration of the Bill, which aims to strengthen the legal framework against examination malpractices and restore public confidence in the country’s recruitment and entrance examination system.