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Parliament Passes Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill to Curb Paper Leaks

Published July 31, 2026 at 12:33 AM UTC

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India's Parliament has enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aiming to eliminate cheating and uphold the integrity of public examinations. The legislation introduces stringent penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines up to 5 crore for those found guilty of malpractices such as paper leaks and organized cheating. The Act also mandates the establishment of Special Fast Track Courts to expedite trials and prescribes time-bound investigations to ensure swift justice. This move is a response to growing concerns over the prevalence of unfair practices in various public exams, including those conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), and National Testing Agency (NTA). The government has emphasized that the law targets perpetrators and not the candidates, aiming to protect the interests of genuine examinees. The Act is set to come into force on June 21, 2024, marking a significant step towards reforming India's examination system.