Rajya Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill, Tougher Action Against Exam Fraud Networks

New Delhi: The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening the fight against paper leaks and organized examination fraud, has now been approved by both Houses of Parliament. After its passage in the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha also cleared the legislation on Thursday.

The Bill was introduced in the Upper House by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh, who stated that the legislation is intended to safeguard the integrity of public examinations and ensure greater transparency in the recruitment and admission process.

The Bill will now be sent to the President for assent. Once approved, it will become law across the country.

According to the government, the amendment seeks to strengthen the legal framework against paper leak rackets, impersonation, digital manipulation of examination systems, organized cheating networks, and the misuse of technology during public examinations. The legislation is also expected to improve coordination among investigating agencies in dealing with interstate examination fraud syndicates.

The government argued that repeated paper leak incidents in recent years have affected the careers of lakhs of students and undermined public confidence in the examination system. The new law is designed to enhance accountability among examination authorities while improving the security of confidential examination processes.

The amendment also focuses on strengthening digital safeguards, tightening monitoring mechanisms at examination centres, and ensuring stricter enforcement against those involved in compromising examination integrity.

During the debate, opposition members maintained that legal reforms alone would not eliminate paper leaks and called for greater transparency, administrative accountability, and faster investigations. The government responded that the legislation is part of a broader examination reform agenda that includes technological and administrative improvements.

Education experts believe that effective implementation of the law could significantly deter organized paper leak operations, restore trust in public examinations, and provide greater confidence to students preparing for competitive examinations.