India Parliament Passes Bill Doubling Exam Leak Penalties

India's parliament has passed legislation significantly increasing penalties for leaking examination papers, a direct response to weeks of massive youth-led protests that forced the education minister to resign. The bill, which cleared the upper house on July -30, 2026, doubles the maximum prison sentence for offenders to 10 years and raises fines to over 1 million rupees.

The Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Amendment Bill, 2026, was approved by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha, or upper house, following its passage in the Lok Sabha, the lower house, on July -29. It now awaits the president's signature to become law. The legislation mandates a minimum five-year jail term for individuals involved in paper leaks, with provisions for organized crimes carrying a minimum seven-year sentence and fines up to 10 crore rupees. It also empowers state governments to designate special fast-track courts to complete trials within three months from the filing of charges.

The parliamentary action follows the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July -26, 2026, after sustained demonstrations spearheaded by the online Cockroach Janta Party movement. The protests,...