The Lok Sabha passed the strict Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote on Wednesday amid sloganeering, capping a two-day debate marked by heated exchanges as the Opposition blasted the government over the police crackdown on student protesters in Delhi.
Head of the Opposition Strong objections from the Treasury benches followed Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the July 20 police action; one of his statements was removed from House records.
The administration later praised the Bill’s passing. In response to the discussion, Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that it demonstrated the government’s “openness to incorporate constructive inputs, learn from experience, and further strengthen the law” to address test paper leaks.
The Bill “shields the dreams and aspirations of our youth by laying down iron-clad provisions imposing the harshest punishment on those who dare to breach the sanctity of public examinations,” Shah said in a post on X, congratulating “every student in India” on its passing. He declared that the Modi administration “will spare no one who attempts to imperil the future of our students and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that they face the full wrath of the law.”
Gandhi was charged by BJP national spokesman Sambit Patra of using unparliamentary language, causing a commotion in the House, and attempting to “mislead the country with his lies.” He said he was denied the opportunity to speak. “Why would Rahul Gandhi not be given a chance to speak when forty-five others were given the opportunity to speak?” he said.
The country’s students are insulted by Rahul Gandhi’s division of them into three groups. We make it very obvious that every student in our nation is a desh bhakt (patriot); no student is a fool or a andhbhakt (blind follower),” Patra declared.
Gandhi had already accused Shah of “ordering police action” against students during the Delhi riots on July 20 while taking part in the discussion.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju objected to the comments and insisted that Gandhi provide evidence to support his claims and provide an apology to the House.
“You are the opposition’s leader. Be serious when you speak. What justification did you give for this claim? How can he claim that someone gave the order to fire? Rijiju stated, “It is a violation of his own privilege and position.
Speaker Om Birla also stepped in, pleading with Gandhi to speak truthfully and uphold the House’s honour. Additionally, he stated that some statements made by Gandhi will be removed from House records.
Opposition lawmakers rallied behind Gandhi as the Treasury benches sought an apology, shouting “Rahul ji ko bolne do (let Rahul speak),” which resulted in boisterous scenes.
Gandhi claimed that the students who were demonstrating had demonstrated bravery. According to the nation’s kids, we won’t turn into blind followers, or andhbhakts. This is a lovely way to express yourself. It’s possible that their parents lacked the bravery to confront the RSS and the BJP. However, these courageous, creative, and strong kids stood there and took on anything you threw at them,” he said.
Gandhi stated, “Rajnath Singhji said we are not the UPA and our ministers never resign,” in reference to Dharmendra Pradhan, who resigned as Education Minister last week. He’s correct. Pradhan never oversaw the educational system, therefore his resignation is only surface-level. The RSS is in charge of the Ministry of Education. The OSD, who is seated in the minister’s office, is in charge of it.
Gandhi told reporters outside the House that there are only “two options”: either the Home Minister “gave the orders” (for action against students) or the Home Minister “didn’t know that firing will happen.” In addition, he questioned Shah’s lack of attendance at the House.
In his response to the Bill’s discussion, Jitendra Singh also mentioned Gandhi’s use of “unparliamentary language.” He remarked, “I am shocked that the LoP doesn’t understand the fundamental parliamentary norms.”
According to Singh, the LoP did not appear to be aware that a magistrate can issue an order to discharge a gun. It has been made clear that tear gas was utilised instead of gunfire. “The question of who gave the order does not arise when the gun was not fired,” he stated.
He said the amendments would further strengthen the legal framework to prevent unfair means in public examinations and safeguard the interests of students and youth. The government, he said, remained committed to ensuring the integrity, transparency and credibility of the public examination system.
Highlighting the key provisions of the Bill, Singh said the punishment for persons resorting to unfair means has been enhanced from imprisonment of three to five years to five to ten years, while the maximum fine has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
The maximum penalty for service providers who commit such violations has been raised from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore, and the ban from administering public exams has been extended from four to eight years. The Bill also raises the maximum penalties from Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore and extends the sentence for organised crime from five to ten years in prison to seven to ten years.
According to Singh, the Bill calls for the creation of special fast-track courts for offences involving public examinations and aims to finish the investigation within two months and the trial within three months after the charge sheet’s filing date.
