New Delhi, July 28: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday held an extensive discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the government and the Opposition engaging in a sharp debate over examination reforms, repeated question paper leaks and the recent student protests.
Opening the discussion, the government said the proposed amendments are intended to strengthen the existing legal framework against unfair practices in public examinations and reinforce safeguards for students and recruitment processes.Union ministers maintained that the legislation reflects the Centre’s commitment to ensuring transparent examinations and preventing organised malpractice.
They argued that incidents of paper leaks have occurred under previous governments as well and stressed the need for a comprehensive legal mechanism to tackle such offences.Opposition members, however, questioned the effectiveness of the existing law, pointing to recent examination leaks despite the enactment of the 2024 legislation.
They said repeated irregularities had eroded students’ confidence in the examination system and called for greater accountability.Several Opposition leaders also criticised the handling of student protests, alleging that the use of force against demonstrators had raised concerns over the government’s response to the issue.
They urged the Centre to focus on restoring trust among students through effective reforms rather than political confrontation.The government rejected the allegations, stating that the amendment seeks to further strengthen provisions against examination fraud and protect the interests of students and job aspirants.
Ministers reiterated that safeguarding the integrity of public examinations remains a priority.During the debate, members from different political parties expressed varying views on the causes of examination malpractice and the measures required to eliminate paper leaks.
While the Opposition demanded stronger accountability and implementation, the ruling side highlighted the need for stricter legal provisions and coordinated enforcement.
Outside Parliament, Opposition leaders continued to seek an official statement from the government regarding the police action during recent student demonstrations, while BJP leaders accused the Opposition of politicising an issue that they said had already been addressed through government action.
The discussion on the Bill formed part of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, with lawmakers expected to continue deliberations before the proposed legislation is taken up for further consideration.
