Anti-Paper Leak Bill Passed in Rajya Sabha: Key Provisions, Penalties, and Opposition Reactions

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill has successfully cleared both houses of Parliament, passing through the Rajya Sabha after a rigorous seven-hour discussion and a detailed reply by MoS in PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Key Highlights:
- Strict Penalties: The legislation provides for 5 to 10 years of imprisonment and fines up to ₹50 lakh for individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means, while organized crimes carry sentences of at least 7 years and penalties up to ₹10 crore.
- Scope and Fast-Track Trials: The bill covers examinations conducted by NTA, UPSC, SSC, and banking bodies. It mandates fast-track court trials to be completed within three months of filing the chargesheet, alongside a special task force (STF) for investigations.
- Government Stance: Dr. Jitendra Singh defended the legislation against opposition criticism, stating that 37 out of 46 recommendations from the Radhakrishnan Committee have already been implemented and that most leak incidents historically occurred at state levels rather than through the NTA.
- Opposition Response: Opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Manoj Kumar Jha, and Sanjay Singh, questioned the government's intent, arguing that the bill emphasizes post-facto punishment rather than fixing the systemic source of leaks.