{"id":116616,"date":"2026-08-02T11:12:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T05:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=116616"},"modified":"2026-08-02T13:23:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T07:53:55","slug":"public-examinations-prevention-of-unfair-means-amendment-bill-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/public-examinations-prevention-of-unfair-means-amendment-bill-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026 Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Parliament has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the aftermath of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, widespread student protests, and growing concerns over the <\/span><b>credibility <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of competitive examinations.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill <\/span><b>amends <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, introducing stricter penalties, time-bound investigations, and special fast-track courts to curb examination malpractices.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Background &#8211; Evolution of the Legislative Response<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The issue gained national attention after the NEET-UG 2024 <\/span><b>paper leak<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with alleged leak networks operating in Patna (Bihar) and Hazaribagh (Jharkhand).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The controversy intensified after 67 candidates secured full marks, aided by disputed grace marks, triggering nationwide protests and judicial scrutiny.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (<\/span><b>CBI<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and monitoring by the Supreme Court exposed organised cheating syndicates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In response, Parliament enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, affecting nearly <\/span><b>22 lakh aspirants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, highlighted shortcomings in the existing legal framework and prompted the introduction of the Amendment Bill.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>The Amendment Bill<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Key objectives:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthen deterrence against organised examination fraud.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure time-bound investigation and adjudication of offences.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve institutional accountability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protect the integrity, transparency and merit-based nature of public examinations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Major provisions:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Time-bound investigation and trial:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investigation by police, central agencies or Special Task Forces must be completed within 60 days.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trials in designated special fast-track courts must conclude within three months of filing the chargesheet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appeals before the High Courts are to be heard by a two-judge Division Bench and disposed of within three months.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Enhanced punishments: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill substantially increases penalties under the 2024 Act.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>For general offences (Section 10(1))<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Imprisonment increased from 3\u20135 years to 5\u201310 years. Maximum fine increased from \u20b910 lakh to \u20b950 lakh.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>For service providers: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maximum fine raised from \u20b91 crore to \u20b95 crore. The debarment period extended from 4 years to 8 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>For directors and senior management: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum fine increased from \u20b91 crore to \u20b95 crore. Imprisonment increased from 3\u201310 years to 5\u201310 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>For organised crime networks (Section 11):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Minimum imprisonment enhanced from 5 years to 7 years. Maximum fine increased from \u20b91 crore to \u20b910 crore.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Measures to reduce procedural delays:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Bill introduces procedural reforms to accelerate justice &#8211;<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Courts cannot grant adjournments beyond the following day except for recorded exceptional reasons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All pending cases under the 2024 Act will be transferred to special fast-track courts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">States and Union Territories must appoint special public prosecutors exclusively for these cases.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Concerns and Limitations<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lack of accountability for delayed investigations:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to PRS Legislative Research, the Bill prescribes a 60-day investigation timeline but does not specify &#8211;<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consequences for missing the deadline,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accountability of investigating officers, or<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mandatory recording of reasons for delay.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This contrasts with legislations such as the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013; and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which contain stronger accountability provisions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Possible conflict with judicial precedent:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court (2002) held that &#8211;\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescribing rigid time limits for criminal proceedings is generally neither feasible nor judicially permissible, and<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Criminal trials should not automatically terminate merely because prescribed timelines are exceeded.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thus, mandatory timelines under the Bill may face judicial scrutiny.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Capacity constraints of fast-track courts:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Merely prescribing timelines may not ensure speedy justice because fast-track courts already face heavy pendency.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>For example<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pending cases increased from over 2.02 lakh (2023) to 2.45 lakh (2025).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disposal rates vary significantly across States (Andhra Pradesh &#8211; ~257 days; and Delhi &#8211; ~1,717 days in POCSO fast-track courts).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This reflects uneven judicial capacity and infrastructure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Expert Views<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Systemic challenges identified by the Law Commission:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent bottlenecks delaying criminal trials include &#8211;\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-production or absence of accused persons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Failure to apprehend absconding offenders.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent and unnecessary adjournments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-attendance of official witnesses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weak judicial case management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inadequate judicial manpower and court infrastructure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Performance of the 2024 Act:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite introducing a legal framework against examination malpractices, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 <\/span><b>failed <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to secure a single conviction during its two years of operation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This underscores deficiencies in enforcement and prosecution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Significance of Amendment Bill for Governance:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Reinforces integrity <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of public recruitment and entrance examinations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeks to restore public confidence in merit-based selection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reflects a shift from merely criminalising examination fraud to strengthening investigation, prosecution, and judicial processes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Success will depend not only on stricter penalties but also on institutional capacity, investigative accountability, judicial infrastructure, and effective implementation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/reader?utm_source=Hindu&amp;utm_medium=Menu&amp;utm_campaign=Header&amp;_gl=1*2ts9bh*_gcl_au*MTAzNTMyMTM0My4xNzgzODIzNjI2LjE2NzQ4MTIyMTAuMTc4NTYzODA3Ny4xNzg1NjM4MzY3LjE4NjEyNTYxNDEuMTc4NTYzODA3Ny4xNzg1NjM4MzY3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><b>TH<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Parliament has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026 in the aftermath of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":116662,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[60,9180,22,59],"class_list":["post-116616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","tag-mains-articles","tag-public-examinations-prevention-of-unfair-means-amendment-bill-2026","tag-upsc-current-affairs","tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs-tag","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116616"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116660,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116616\/revisions\/116660"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}