'Bill will dismantle paper leak ecosystem," Prahlad Joshi as LS clears anti-paper leak amendment bill amid row over RaGa's shooting charge
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The Lok Sabha on Wednesday, July 29, cleared the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote, endorsing major revisions to the anti-paper leak law that impose harsher penalties, up to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rs 50 lakh, on offenders.
_202607291822544582_H@@IGHT_400_W@@IDTH_700.jpg "Anti paper leak bill")
Newly appointed Education Minister Pralhad Joshi welcomed the Bill's passage, saying the revised law would provide a stronger legal foundation for tackling exam-related malpractice. In a post on X, Joshi said the legislation brings in tougher penalties, dedicated fast-track courts, improved investigative tools, and firm action against exam fraud, aimed at dismantling the paper leak network and strengthening transparency, credibility, and fairness in the examination system.
The comments drew sharp objections from the Treasury benches, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanding proof and NDA MPs led by the BJP dismissing the allegations as unfounded. In response, Union Minister Singh called Gandhi's claims "factually incorrect," stating that no bullets were fired and no order to open fire had been given during the protest.
The agitation reached a critical point on July 20, when police blocked protesters attempting to march towards Parliament, leading to accusations of excessive force, including claims that pellet guns were used on students. Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns, while the CRPF has not issued a public response to allegations concerning the Rapid Action Force.
The protests concluded on Saturday, July 25, after the government agreed to several of the demonstrators' key demands — including Pradhan's resignation, "maximum possible compensation" for the families of those who died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak, and the withdrawal of all FIRs registered by the Centre and state governments.
The Bill's passage was marked by sloganeering from Opposition benches following a heated exchange over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's comments on police action against student protesters last week. Introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on July 27, just days after widespread student protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as education minister, the Bill will now go before the Rajya Sabha. It provides for fast-track courts in every state dedicated to paper leak cases and requires investigations to be wrapped up within two months. Beyond stiffer punishment for individuals convicted of leaking exam papers, the Bill also imposes fines of up to Rs 10 crore on organised paper leak networks.
Newly appointed Education Minister Pralhad Joshi welcomed the Bill's passage, saying the revised law would provide a stronger legal foundation for tackling exam-related malpractice. In a post on X, Joshi said the legislation brings in tougher penalties, dedicated fast-track courts, improved investigative tools, and firm action against exam fraud, aimed at dismantling the paper leak network and strengthening transparency, credibility, and fairness in the examination system.
Following the Lok Sabha's adjournment for the day after the Bill's passage, Gandhi said he intended to hold a press conference to address matters he was "not allowed" to raise inside the House. "They can turn off the mic, but not the students' echo," he said.
The Bill was passed after a contentious debate in which Gandhi accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of sanctioning force against students during the CJP's protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. He alleged that the Home Minister had ordered students to be fired upon and pelleted, adding that only a Minister or the Prime Minister has the authority to sanction such use of force.
The Lok Sabha has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, ushering in a tougher legal framework to combat examination malpractices. With stricter penalties, fast-track courts, enhanced investigation mechanisms and stringent action against… pic.twitter.com/dSrXI5rDZz
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) July 29, 2026
The comments drew sharp objections from the Treasury benches, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanding proof and NDA MPs led by the BJP dismissing the allegations as unfounded. In response, Union Minister Singh called Gandhi's claims "factually incorrect," stating that no bullets were fired and no order to open fire had been given during the protest.
He clarified that only tear gas had been deployed, and noted that only a magistrate, not the police, has the power to authorise firing. Singh also rejected Gandhi's assertion that Amit Shah had travelled with a convoy of 30 vehicles. The legislation follows a 36-day nationwide protest against the alleged NEET paper leak, led by the CJP, which started at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on June 20 and gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike on June 28.'
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The agitation reached a critical point on July 20, when police blocked protesters attempting to march towards Parliament, leading to accusations of excessive force, including claims that pellet guns were used on students. Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns, while the CRPF has not issued a public response to allegations concerning the Rapid Action Force.
The protests concluded on Saturday, July 25, after the government agreed to several of the demonstrators' key demands — including Pradhan's resignation, "maximum possible compensation" for the families of those who died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak, and the withdrawal of all FIRs registered by the Centre and state governments.