The Lok Sabha on July 27, 2026, issued the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, further to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The following has been stated: -
•This Bill amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to introduce stricter penalties, faster investigations, and streamlined trials.
•It enhances the imprisonment terms and fines for individual malpractices, service provider violations, and organized examination crimes.
•To ensure prompt investigation, all inquiries by designated officers, Central Investigating Agencies, or newly provisioned Special Task Forces must be completed within two months.
•It mandates State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to establish Special Fast Track Courts to conduct day-to-day trials, which must be completed within three months of filing a chargesheet.
•Additionally, it provides for the appointment of Special Public Prosecutors and establishes an appeal process to a two-judge High Court bench that must be disposed of within three months.
The detailed notification is given in the document below.
[Bill No. 139 of 2026]
