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5 Big Changes That Could Transform India's Exam System (Img: AI generated)
New Delhi: The Central government has proposed major changes to strengthen India's legal framework against examination fraud through the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. The proposed law aims to tackle paper leaks, organised cheating networks and technology-driven exam manipulation with stricter punishments and wider accountability.
The move comes amid growing concerns over repeated paper leak cases and protests by students demanding transparency and reforms in competitive examinations.
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One of the biggest changes proposed in the amendment is the increase in punishment for organised examination fraud. The maximum jail term for those involved in organised paper leak networks is proposed to rise from five years to 10 years.
The government believes stronger punishment is necessary as paper leaks have increasingly become linked with organised groups rather than isolated incidents.
The proposed law also introduces a major increase in financial penalties. Organised offenders could face fines of up to ₹10 crore.
The provision aims to prevent large-scale cheating networks and institutions involved in exam malpractice from treating penalties as a routine business expense. Authorities may also recover costs incurred due to cancelled examinations.
The amendment expands the definition of unfair practices to include modern forms of cheating.
Activities such as AI-assisted cheating, hacking of examination systems, digital circulation of question papers and manipulation of online exam infrastructure would come under the proposed law. The government aims to address the growing use of technology in examination fraud.
The proposed changes do not focus only on candidates. Examination agencies, technology providers, institutions and officials found involved in enabling or ignoring malpractice could also face action. The objective is to hold the entire examination ecosystem accountable and prevent negligence or collusion.
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The Bill proposes a stronger enforcement mechanism to investigate and prosecute organised cheating networks. It aims to improve coordination between agencies and ensure quicker action in paper leak cases.
The government has also announced technology-based reforms for the National Testing Agency (NTA), with a high-level panel headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani working on recommendations.
