New Anti-Paper Leak Law Tabled in Parliament Amid Widespread Student Agitations

Details: Following weeks of intense nationwide protests led by student organizations over NEET exam discrepancies—which ultimately led to the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan—the Government of India introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. Newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, along with Minister Jitendra Singh, pushed forward the stringent legislation. The proposed law introduces strict penal provisions, including mandatory prison terms of at least five years and heavy fines up to ₹50 lakh for individuals and groups involved in leaking examination papers or rigging recruitment tests. Meanwhile, state governments in Bihar and Assam have initiated steps to withdraw police cases against peaceful student demonstrators following assurances from the Ministry of Home Affairs.