Sri Vijaya Puram, July 28: The government on Tuesday said it was prepared to extend the Lok Sabha debate on the proposed amendments to the anti-paper leak law to 10 hours, signalling its willingness to accommodate the Opposition’s demand for a longer discussion on legislation aimed at strengthening safeguards against examination fraud and protecting students’ interests.
The assurance came as the Lok Sabha resumed proceedings at 2 p.m. and began discussing the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. During the debate, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal objected to the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, describing the legislation as a matter of significant public importance. Opposition members also sought additional time for discussion.
Responding to the demand, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government had no objection to extending the duration of the debate.
“All political parties had first agreed to six hours of discussion on the anti-paper leak Bill, then it was increased to eight hours. Now, if the Opposition wants more time, we are willing to take it up for 10 hours,” Rijiju said in the House.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday by Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
According to the government, the amendments are intended to strengthen transparency and integrity in the public examination system through stricter legal provisions while safeguarding the future of students.
The Bill proposes tougher penalties for those found guilty of paper leaks and examination fraud. The provisions include imprisonment of up to 10 years, fines of up to ₹10 crore, confiscation of assets of convicted offenders and a legal mechanism aimed at ensuring that verdicts are delivered within three months.
The proposed changes follow the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Bill and related provisions designed to establish fast-track courts and introduce stricter punishment for offences involving examination malpractice and paper leaks.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the government would introduce comprehensive legislation in Parliament providing for stringent action against paper leaks.
Under the proposed framework, fast-track courts will be required to complete trials and pronounce judgments within three months, with the objective of ensuring the swift disposal of cases related to examination-related offences.
