New Delhi, July 24: In a significant move aimed at safeguarding the integrity of public examinations, the Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the anti-paper leak law, with the revised legislation expected to be introduced and debated in Parliament on Monday during the Monsoon Session.

The proposed amendments seek to strengthen the existing legal framework by imposing stricter penalties on individuals and organised groups involved in leaking examination papers, manipulating recruitment tests, or facilitating other unfair practices. The Centre hopes the tougher provisions will act as a strong deterrent against examination fraud and restore public confidence in the country's recruitment and entrance examination system.

Under the revised law, offenders may face imprisonment of up to 10 years along with hefty financial penalties that could extend to ₹10 crore in serious cases involving organised criminal networks. The amendments also provide for faster investigation and prosecution through special legal mechanisms, ensuring that paper leak cases are resolved more efficiently.

The decision comes after a series of high-profile paper leak incidents that affected major competitive examinations and triggered widespread concern among students, parents and educational institutions. Several examinations had to be postponed or cancelled in recent years due to allegations of question paper leaks, leading to demands for stronger legal safeguards.

Government sources said the amendments are intended to enhance accountability and ensure that public examinations remain fair, transparent and free from malpractice. Authorities believe the strengthened law will empower investigative agencies to crack down more effectively on organised rackets involved in examination fraud.

The amendments build upon the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was enacted to curb irregularities in public examinations. The proposed changes are expected to further tighten enforcement and close legal loopholes identified since the law came into force.

The Bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament on Monday, where it is expected to be discussed before being put to a vote. If approved, the amended legislation will mark one of the toughest legal measures introduced by the Centre to combat paper leaks and examination-related crimes.

Education experts and student organisations have welcomed the government's move, expressing hope that stricter enforcement will help protect the interests of millions of candidates appearing for competitive examinations every year.

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