New Delhi | July 30, 2026
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh today moved the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passage, following its approval by the Lok Sabha.
Expanding upon the baseline Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, the 2026 Amendment Bill significantly escalates penal consequences for paper leaks and organized malpractice across examinations conducted by major recruitment and testing authorities, including the UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, and NTA.
Dr. Singh informed the House that six Special Fast Track Courts have already been established to ensure time-bound trials for examination offences, with additional courts planned nationwide. Furthermore, 35 out of 46 recommendations made by the high-level expert task force on public examination reforms have already been implemented.
Key Penal & Operational Enhancements
| Offence Category | Existing / 2024 Framework | Proposed 2026 Amendment |
| Individual Malpractice | 3–5 years prison | 5–10 years prison |
| Individual Fine Cap | Up to ₹10 Lakh | Up to ₹50 Lakh |
| Service Provider Fine | Up to ₹1 Crore | Up to ₹5 Crore |
| Service Provider Debarment | 4 years | 8 years |
| Management Liability | 3–10 years prison | Up to ₹1 Cr | 5–10 years prison | Up to ₹5 Cr |
| Organized Crime Fine | Up to ₹1 Crore | Up to ₹10 Crore |
| Organized Crime Prison | 5–10 years | 7–10 years |
Judicial & Administrative Framework
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Fast-Track Timelines: Investigation mandatory within 2 months; trial completion within 3 months post-chargesheet.
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Specialized Courts: 6 Special Fast Track Courts operational; additional courts under setup.
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Agency Interventions: Provision for investigation by a Special Task Force or Central Agency, backed by Special Public Prosecutors.
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Primary Objective: Zero tolerance for paper leaks, safeguarding meritocracy, and restoring public trust in national examination ecosystems.
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Sector: Public Administration, Civil Services Recruitment & Higher Education
