New Delhi: India has strengthened its legal framework against examination fraud after the President granted assent to the amended Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2026. The legislation is aimed at dismantling organized paper leak networks, ensuring faster investigations, and delivering time-bound justice in cases related to competitive examination malpractice.

The move comes after repeated incidents of question paper leaks in major competitive examinations raised serious concerns over the integrity of the examination system and the future of millions of students. The government believes that lengthy investigations and delayed court proceedings under the earlier system allowed many accused to avoid timely punishment.

Under the amended law, every state and Union Territory will establish dedicated Fast-Track Courts to hear paper leak cases. These courts are expected to conduct day-to-day hearings, with the objective of completing trials and delivering judgments within 90 days.

The investigation process has also been made time-bound. Unlike the previous framework, where no fixed deadline existed, the newly constituted Special Task Force (STF) will be required to complete investigations within two months before filing charges in court.

Punishments have been significantly enhanced under the revised law. Earlier provisions prescribed imprisonment ranging from three to five years, whereas the amended legislation provides for rigorous imprisonment of five to ten years in serious cases. Financial penalties have also been increased substantially, with fines now extending up to ₹10 crore for major offences.

According to the government, examination fraud has evolved into an organized criminal network involving intermediaries, technical experts, coaching operators, and other individuals. The revised law has therefore been designed to target the entire ecosystem rather than only those directly involved in leaking question papers.

Officials have stated that the objective is not merely to punish offenders but also to restore transparency, fairness, and credibility in India's competitive examination system. The government maintains that stricter enforcement and faster judicial proceedings will help rebuild public confidence and protect honest candidates.

Education experts have welcomed the emphasis on speedy trials but have also stressed that legal reforms must be accompanied by stronger digital security, better examination management, improved accountability of examination agencies, and enhanced monitoring mechanisms to prevent future leaks.

If implemented effectively, the amended law is expected to become one of India's strongest legal tools against organized examination fraud and could significantly reduce paper leak incidents across the country.