Mallikarjun Kharge Dismisses Anti-Paper Leak Bill in Rajya Sabha, Questioning Its Ability to Prevent Exam Irregularities

In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sharply criticized the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, questioning whether higher penalties alone could effectively prevent examination leaks without systemic operational reforms. Initiating the debate on the legislation—which was passed by the Lok Sabha a day earlier—Kharge characterized the bill as a superficial measure that merely alters numbers rather than addressing the root causes of recurring paper leaks impacting millions of students. The proposed legislation significantly toughens existing penalties under the 2024 Act, extending maximum imprisonment to 10 years, increasing fines up to ₹10 crore for organized syndicates, and mandating a two-month investigation timeline via Special Task Forces and designated fast-track courts. Recalling that the opposition’s demands for comprehensive structural reforms were rejected in 2024, Kharge alleged that the Centre introduced the current amendments solely to appease recent widespread student demonstrations in Delhi following recent examination irregularities. Responding to the opposition’s critique, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh defended the bill, emphasizing that the government maintains zero tolerance toward paper leaks and introduced the stringent measures in right earnest to protect the integrity of public examinations and safeguard candidates’ futures.