Govt’s Tougher Anti-Paper Leak Law with Fast-Track Courts

• Centre plans major overhaul of anti-paper leak law with stricter penalties.
• Special fast-track courts proposed for speedy trial of examination fraud cases.
• Maximum fine for organised paper leak syndicates to rise to ₹10 crore.
• Investigations to be completed within two months under proposed amendments.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th July: The Centre is set to significantly strengthen India’s legal framework against examination fraud by proposing tougher punishments, higher financial penalties and a dedicated system of Special Fast-Track Courts to deal with paper leak and organised cheating cases.

The proposed amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, cleared by the Union Cabinet and expected to be introduced in Parliament, aim to improve enforcement while retaining the existing list of offences under the law.

Under the proposed changes, individuals convicted of paper leaks or examination fraud could face a minimum prison sentence of five years, up from the current three years, with the maximum punishment increasing from five years to 10 years. The maximum fine for individuals is proposed to be enhanced from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.

The amendments also seek to tighten accountability for agencies involved in conducting examinations, managing centres, providing technology support or handling logistics. The maximum penalty for such service providers is proposed to increase from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore, while the period of debarment from conducting public examinations would be doubled from four years to eight years. Existing provisions for recovery of examination costs would continue.

Senior executives and directors of service providers found complicit in examination fraud would also face stricter punishment. The minimum imprisonment is proposed to increase from three years to five years, while the maximum sentence would remain 10 years. The maximum fine would rise from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore.

The government has proposed even harsher penalties for organised paper leak syndicates. The minimum prison term for organised examination-related crimes would increase from five years to seven years, while the minimum fine would rise sharply from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore. The maximum imprisonment would continue to be 10 years.

A key feature of the amendment package is the creation of Special Fast-Track Courts in states and Union Territories for offences under the Act. These courts would conduct day-to-day hearings with minimal adjournments, and trials are proposed to be completed within three months of filing the charge sheet, wherever possible.

The proposed law also introduces fixed timelines for investigations. All investigating agencies, including state police, central agencies and any Special Task Forces constituted for such cases, would be required to complete investigations within two months.

To tackle complex paper leak networks, the amendments empower the Centre to constitute Special Task Forces for independent investigation of examination-related offences. States and Union Territories would also be required to appoint Special Public Prosecutors to conduct trials before the fast-track courts.

The amendment further proposes that appeals against judgments of the Special Fast-Track Courts be heard directly by High Courts through Division Benches and disposed of, as far as possible, within three months.

The proposed overhaul comes two years after Parliament enacted the country’s first dedicated anti-paper leak law in 2024. By combining tougher penalties with strict timelines for investigation and trial, the Centre aims to strengthen deterrence against examination fraud and restore public confidence in competitive recruitment and entrance examinations.