The Union Cabinet has approved a draft Bill that proposes strict punishment for examination paper leaks and organised exam fraud. Under the proposed law, anyone found guilty of leaking question papers, helping organised cheating, or manipulating public examinations could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to ₹10 crore.
The Bill comes after recent controversies involving competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak and is aimed at restoring public confidence in India’s examination system.
The proposed legislation targets individuals, organised gangs, institutions and service providers involved in exam fraud. Authorities will also be given stronger powers to investigate and prosecute offenders through fast track legal procedures.
According to the government, the new law seeks to protect the integrity of public examinations by introducing tougher penalties, improving coordination among agencies, and strengthening security measures before, during and after examinations.
The Bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament during the ongoing session. If passed, it will become one of India’s toughest laws against examination malpractice.
