The Center is likely to introduce the bill in Parliament on Monday, July 27, 2026. Photo: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab
In a bid to strengthen the anti-cheating law, the Union Government proposed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, a copy of which was circulated among Members of Parliament on Saturday (July 25, 2026).
The Center is likely to introduce the bill in Parliament on Monday (July 27, 2026).
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The proposed legislation significantly toughens the penalties imposed under the 2024 Act, introduces mandatory two-month investigation deadlines, along with designated special fast-track courts, and heavy financial penalties reaching up to Rs 10 million for organized crime networks.
Under the bill, maximum prison sentences for individual and institutional offenders have been increased, along with a sharp increase in financial penalties.
Specialized Implementation Units allow the Central Government to constitute Special Task Forces (STF) dedicated to exclusively take charge of investigative efforts.
All investigations, whether conducted by local police, Central Investigation Agencies or an STF, must be concluded within 60 days.
State governments and UT administrations will appoint sessions courts to conduct trials on a continuous and daily basis.
Trials must be concluded within three months of filing the charge sheet. Appeals to the High Court will be heard by a division bench (two judges) and must also be decided within three months.
The Amendment Bill 2026 significantly increases the cost of committing or facilitating exam malpractice:
Under Section 10(1) (General Offences): The punishment of imprisonment or 3 to 5 years imprisonment and fine up to ₹ 10 lakh in the anti-cheating law has been proposed to be enhanced to 5 to 10 years imprisonment with fine up to ₹ 50 lakh.
Under Section 10(2) (Fines on service providers) of the proposed bill, the fine of up to ₹ 1 crore has been increased to a fine of up to ₹ 5 crore.
As per Section 10 (2) (Directors/Management of Service Providers): The prison sentence of 3 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of ₹ 1 crore has been increased to 3 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of ₹ 5 crore.
Under Section 10(3) (Personnel in Charge) – Imprisonment of 3 to 10 years’ imprisonment; The fine of ₹1 crore has been raised to 5-10 years in jail and a fine of ₹5 crore.
Under Section 11 (1) (Organized Crime): a minimum of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 1 million has been increased to a minimum of 7 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 million.
To address lengthy legal delays, the bill introduces Sections 12A and 12B, establishing a seamless procedural process.
Courts cannot grant adjournments beyond the next day without writing out exceptional and explicit reasons. All ongoing cases under Act 2024 will be immediately transferred to the newly designated Special Fast Track Courts and must be completed within three months of transfer.
States and Union Territories are mandated to appoint special public prosecutors under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to handle these trials exclusively.
Appeals against bail orders, sentences or sentences must be made within 30 days (with a strict absolute limit of 90 days for special delays) and will be heard by a two-judge High Court bench.
Recent incidents of document leaks and malpractices have required urgent structural reforms to safeguard transparent and merit-based selections.
“The aim of the law is to bring greater transparency, fairness and credibility, and instill confidence in the public examination system,” said Dr Jitendra Singh. “The amendments ensure time-bound investigations, speedy trials and greater deterrence against organized crime groups and institutions.”
Published – July 25, 2026 02:11 pm IST
