New Delhi, 27 July (H.S.): Amid protests and slogan-shouting by Opposition MPs, the Central government on Monday introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh presented the Bill in the House.

Soon after the proceedings of both Houses began at 11 AM, Opposition MPs started raising slogans over various issues, leading to repeated disruptions. Due to the continued uproar, the proceedings of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were initially adjourned till 12 noon. When the Houses resumed at noon, the deadlock continued, following which both Houses were adjourned till 2 PM.

The government has introduced the Bill to amend the law enacted in 2024. The proposed amendments include stricter punishment and heavier penalties for those accused of paper leaks. The Bill also proposes granting powers to state governments and Union Territories to establish special fast-track courts for such cases, with provisions for daily hearings.

The proposed legislation will apply to public examinations conducted by the Central government and its agencies. It will cover major examinations conducted by institutions including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), railway recruitment bodies, banking recruitment agencies, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and other central recruitment and entrance examinations.

The government has stated that the amendment has been brought in the wake of the NEET paper leak controversy and the nationwide student protests that followed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced on July 23 that the law would be strengthened further. Subsequently, the government also announced the formation of a high-level task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms in the examination system.

Meanwhile, former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reached Parliament for the first time after resigning from his post. Members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) welcomed him by presenting him with a shawl and a Mithila traditional turban before accompanying him inside the Parliament complex. The MPs also raised slogans of Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad during the welcome.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his position on July 25 amid the controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak.

It may be recalled that the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026, had to be cancelled and conducted again after allegations of question paper leakage surfaced. The issue triggered protests across the country. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the case. So far, 13 accused have been arrested, and the agency is expected to file a chargesheet soon.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar