Cabinet clears tougher anti-paper leak bill: Up to 10 years’ jail, ₹10 crore fine proposed

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved a draft bill proposing significantly tougher punishments for paper leak offences, including prison terms of up to 10 years and fines of up to ₹10 crore for those convicted.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, introducing a minimum jail term of five years for individuals involved in paper leaks, according to people familiar with the matter.

The bill, which Prime Minister Modi referred to in his video message on Thursday night, is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Under the existing law, individuals convicted of paper leaks face three to five years in prison, while those involved in organised examination fraud can be sentenced to five to 10 years in jail along with a minimum fine of ₹1 crore.

The amendments aim to crack down on organised cheating syndicates and institutions profiting from examination fraud while ensuring that students are protected from prosecution.

According to government sources, Modi stressed that those responsible for paper leaks would face strict action and that no accused would escape punishment.

The government is also considering giving statutory backing to special fast-track courts that would be tasked with concluding paper leak cases and delivering verdicts within three months.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government intends to move the bill without delay, in line with the prime minister’s direction.

“The prime minister has said there should be no delay in bringing this bill for students. The country expects this legislation, and it would not be right to obstruct it,” Rijiju said.

He also accused the Congress of attempting to stall Parliament, warning that disrupting discussions on legislation aimed at safeguarding students would invite public backlash.

The Opposition, however, has maintained that it will continue to disrupt Parliament unless Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

Responding to Modi’s remarks, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded Pradhan’s dismissal before any discussion on education reforms.

“First dismiss Dharmendra Pradhan, apologise to the students, and take strict action against those who ordered lathi charges and pellet guns on protesters. Then we are ready for a detailed discussion on the education system,” Kharge said in a post on X.