Lok Sabha resumes business after days of deadlock, takes up anti-paper leak Bill amid sharp govt-Opposition clash

After days of disruption during the Monsoon Session, the Lok Sabha on Tuesday resumed legislative business and took up discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the government defending the proposed changes as a major step to protect students while the Opposition dismissed the legislation as inadequate and accused the Centre of failing to curb examination malpractices.

Introducing the debate, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said the amendment strengthens the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which he described as the first legislation of its kind enacted by an Indian government to tackle examination fraud.

Also Read: Lok Sabha set to take up tougher anti-paper leak Bill today


"This bill, which was introduced yesterday, is, in fact, an amendment to the earlier bill- Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Act 2024, which was also brought by this government. And not only brought, it was perhaps the first of its kind in the history of independent India," Singh said.

Calling the amendment a reaffirmation of the Centre's commitment towards students, he said, "The earlier Bill and the amendment today are, in a way, reaffirmation of this government's deep commitment to safeguard the welfare of the students and the youth of this country. And at the same time, it is also a reiteration of Prime Minister Modi's resolve- not to allow anyone to compromise with the future of the children of Mother India."

"Therefore, this bill can be described, in a way, as a milestone legislation in the history of Indian Parliament," he added.

Singh said incidents of paper leaks had occurred in states governed by different political parties and argued that the Narendra Modi government had completed the "unaccomplished task" by bringing a dedicated anti-paper leak law in 2024 before moving to further tighten it through the latest amendments.

The proposed amendments seek to make the law more stringent by introducing provisions for time-bound investigations and trials, Special Fast-Track Courts, Special Task Forces, Special Public Prosecutors, enhanced punishments, higher financial penalties and a streamlined appeals mechanism.

Leading the Opposition's attack, Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi questioned the effectiveness of the existing law, arguing that examination paper leaks had continued despite the 2024 legislation.

"Despite 2024 law, question papers of public examinations have been leaking," Gogoi said.

Also Read: Monsoon Session: Parliament to take up anti-paper leak Bill today, MSME, others on agenda

He claimed that 44 of the 45 accused in the 2024 NEET paper leak case were out on bail and said the government should be "ashamed" over the alleged suicides of 21 students linked to the examination controversy.

Gogoi also targeted the National Testing Agency (NTA), questioning why the government continued to repose faith in its leadership.

"You got law in 2024, still paper leaked in 2026," he said, adding that the proposed amendments and enhanced penalties alone would not reform the country's education system.

Gogoi described the legislation as inadequate, saying, "Government is not serious, Bill is just an eyewash."

The Congress leader also referred to the protests by students demanding action over examination irregularities, saying parents had allowed their children to participate because the agitation concerned their future. He further accused the government of using excessive force against protesters, raising questions over the use of pellet guns, tear gas and lathi charges during demonstrations, and demanded accountability for the alleged police action.

The debate marked the first substantive legislative business in the Lok Sabha after repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session over the Opposition's demand for accountability over the handling of student protests and examination reforms. The House is expected to continue discussions on the Bill before it is taken up for passage.