What happened in the Lok Sabha
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.
The Bill aims to further strengthen the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 by adding measures for faster investigation, speedy trial through Special Fast Track Courts, appointment of Special Public Prosecutors, time-bound disposal of appeals, and more stringent penalties.
Background: the 2024 law that the Amendment Bill builds on
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was enacted on 12 February 2024 and came into force with effect from 21 June 2024.
The 2024 Act provides a national legal framework to prevent unfair means in public examinations. It applies to examinations conducted by Union recruiting bodies and authorities such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), National Testing Agency (NTA), and also Ministries and Departments of the Central Government along with their attached and subordinate offices, and other notified authorities.
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