India Enacts Stricter Law Against Examination Malpractices Amidst Public Outcry
The Indian government has strengthened its stance against examination malpractices by enacting the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026. This new legislation, which received presidential assent on July 31, 2026, builds upon the foundational Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, by introducing more stringent penalties and streamlined legal procedures. The amendment comes in response to significant public outrage and nationwide protests, particularly following incidents like the alleged leak of the NEET-UG question paper in May 2026, which severely impacted millions of students.
Under the amended Act, individuals involved in unfair means will face increased imprisonment ranging from five to ten years and fines up to ₹50 lakh, a substantial rise from the previous three to five years imprisonment and ₹10 lakh fine. Service providers found complicit in examination fraud will now be subject to fines up to ₹5 crore and a debarment period of eight years from conducting public examinations, up from the earlier ₹1 crore fine and four-year ban. For organised crimes related to examination malpractices, the minimum imprisonment has been set at seven years, extending up to ten years, with a minimum fine of ₹10 crore.
Beyond enhanced penalties, the 2026 Amendment Act introduces critical procedural reforms. It empowers the Central Government to constitute a dedicated Special Task Force for investigations, ensuring more focused and time-bound handling of cases. The Act also mandates the designation of Special Fast Track Courts to expedite trials and appoints Special Public Prosecutors to manage prosecutions. These measures are designed to ensure swift justice and act as a strong deterrent against organised syndicates and individuals who undermine the integrity of India's public examination system.
