What happened: Amendment Bill, 2026 announced in Lok Sabha
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 to curb examination-related malpractices and protect students and youth.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said question paper leakages and examination malpractices have occurred across States, and the Government needs a comprehensive national legal framework. He also stated the amendments are based on experience gained from implementing the existing law.
Background and earlier position: 2024 Act as first comprehensive law
The Government enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 as the first comprehensive law to deal with unfair means in public examinations.
The 2024 Act covers examinations conducted by major recruitment and admission agencies, including UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, and NTA.
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