**Executive Summary**
Bill No. 139 of 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 27, 2026, proposes significant amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The document outlines a substantial increase in imprisonment terms and financial penalties for examination-related offenses while mandating time-bound investigations and the establishment of Special Fast Track Courts. Key deadlines include a two-month limit for completing investigations and a three-month limit for concluding trials and disposing of appeals.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Enhanced Penalties and Fines**
* **General Offenses (Section 10):** Minimum imprisonment increased from three to five years, and maximum terms extended from five to ten years. Maximum fines are raised from ten lakh to fifty lakh rupees.
* **Specific Offenses (Section 10, sub-sections 2 & 3):** Maximum fines increased from one crore to five crore rupees. Imprisonment terms are extended to eight years (up from four) and five years (up from three) for respective sub-sections.
* **Higher-Level Offenses (Section 11):** Imprisonment increased from five to seven years, and fines raised from one crore to ten crore rupees.
**Investigation Framework**
* **Special Task Force (STF):** The Central Government is empowered to constitute a Special Task Force for investigations. If an STF is constituted, it holds exclusive authority over that investigation.
* **Strict Timelines:** All investigations—whether conducted by local police, a Central Investigating Agency, or an STF—must be completed within two months from the date of recording information or receiving a reference.
**Special Fast Track Courts**
* **Establishment:** State Governments and Union Territory Administrations must designate Courts of Session as Special Fast Track Courts in consultation with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
* **Trial Conduct:** Trials must be conducted on a day-to-day basis and completed within three months of the filing of the chargesheet.
* **Transfer of Cases:** All pending cases under the 2024 Act will be transferred to these newly designated courts.
* **Public Prosecutors:** States and UTs are required to appoint one or more Special Public Prosecutors for these courts.
**Appeals and Judicial Review**
* **High Court Jurisdiction:** Appeals against judgments or sentences (excluding interlocutory orders) must be heard by a bench of two High Court judges.
* **Disposal Timeline:** Appeals should ideally be disposed of within three months of their admission.
* **Filing Deadlines:** Appeals must be preferred within 30 days. While extensions are possible for "sufficient cause," no appeal will be entertained after 90 days.
* **Bail:** Appeals are permitted specifically against orders granting or refusing bail.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments and Union Territory Administrations**
**Impact**
They are responsible for providing the judicial infrastructure necessary to support the amended Act.
**Action Required**
Consult with High Court Chief Justices to designate Special Fast Track Courts and issue notifications for the appointment of Special Public Prosecutors.
**Investigating Agencies (Police, Central Agencies, and STF)**
**Impact**
Operational protocols must be accelerated to meet the new statutory deadlines.
**Action Required**
Ensure all investigations into public examination offenses are concluded within the mandatory two-month period.
**Judiciary (High Courts)**
**Impact**
High Courts will face a structured timeline for appeals and must dedicate two-judge benches to these cases.
**Action Required**
Establish mechanisms to hear and dispose of appeals within three months of admission and enforce the 90-day absolute cutoff for filing.
**Accused Persons and Legal Practitioners**
**Impact**
Harsher sentencing and significantly higher financial liabilities; stricter limitations on the timeframe for seeking legal recourse.
**Action Required**
Adhere to the 30-day window for filing appeals against judgments, sentences, or bail orders.
Key Entities Referenced
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026: The primary legislative bill introduced to enhance penalties, increase fines, and establish mechanisms for the speedy trial of offences related to public examinations.
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: The principal legislation being amended, which provides the original framework for preventing malpractices and maintaining the sanctity of public examinations.
Special Fast Track Court: Designated Courts of Session mandated to conduct trials on a day-to-day basis for offences under the Act, with a requirement to complete trials within three months.
Special Task Force: An investigative body that the Central Government may constitute to conduct time-bound investigations into offences under the Act.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023: The procedural law referenced for the appointment of Special Public Prosecutors and the legal framework governing appeals against court judgments under this Act.
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LOK SABHA
___________
LOK SABHA
The following Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on 27th July, 2026
————
The following Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on 27th July, 2026:—
BILL No. 139 OF 2026
Bill No. 139 of 2026
A Bill further to amend the Public Examinations (PreventionofUnfairMeans)Act,2024.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of
India as follows:—
1. This Act may be called the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Short title.
Means)AmendmentAct, 2026.
1 of 2024. 5 2. In the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 Amendment of
section 10.
(hereinafterreferred to as theprincipalAct), in section 10,––
(a)in sub-section (1), for the words “three years but which may extend
to five years and with fine up to ten lakh rupees.In”, the words “five years but
which may extend up to ten years and with fine up to fifty lakh rupees, and in”
10 shall be substituted;2 THE GAZETTE OF IND2I A EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
(b) in sub-section (2),––
(i) for the words “one crore rupees”, the words “five crore rupees”
shall be substituted;
(ii) for the words “four years”, the words “eight years” shall be
substituted; 5
(c) in sub-section (3),––
(i) for the words “three years”, the words “five years” shall be
substituted;
(ii) for the words “one crore rupees. In”, the words “five crore
rupees, and in” shall be substituted. 10
Amendment of 3. In section 11 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1),––
section 11.
(i) for the words “five years”, the words “seven years” shall be
substituted;
(ii) for the words “one crore rupees. In”, the words “ten crore rupees,
and in” shall be substituted. 15
Amendment of 4. In section 12 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2),––
section 12.
(a) after the words “Central Investigating Agency”, the words “or a
Special Task Force, as that Government may, by notification, constitute in this
behalf” shall be inserted;
(b) the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:–– 20
“Provided that where the Central Government constitutes a
Special Task Force under this sub-section, such investigation shall be
done only by the Special Task Force so constituted.”.
Insertion of new 5. After section 12 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be
sections 12A and inserted, namely:–– 25
12B.
Fast tracked “12A. (1) The investigation of an offence under this Act, shall be
investigation and completed––
Special Fast
Track Courts.
(a) by an officer empowered to investigate under sub-section (1)
of section 12, within a period of two months from the date on which
the information was recorded by the officer in-charge of the police 30
station; or
(b) by a Central Investigating Agency, within a period of two
months from the date of a reference made to it by the Central
Government under sub-section (2) of the said section; or
(c) by a Special Task Force, within a period of two months from 35
the date of issuance of notification in this behalf by the Central
Government under sub-section (2) of the said section.
(2) For the purposes of providing a speedy trial on day-to-day basis,
every State Government and Union territory Administration shall, in
consultation with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court, by 40
notification, designate a Court of Session, to be a Special Fast Track Court to
try offences under this Act.
(3) A Special Fast Track Court designated under sub-section (2) shall,
while trying offences under this Act, also try other offences connected thereto
with which the accused may be charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya 4 5
Sanhita, 2023 or any other law for the time being in force, at the same trial. 45 of 2023.3
2 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 3
(4) In every trial of an offence under this Act, the proceedings shall be
(b) in sub-section (2),–– continued on day-to-day basis, until all the witnesses in attendance have been
examined, unless the Special Fast Track Court, for reasons to be recorded in
(i) for the words “one crore rupees”, the words “five crore rupees”
shall be substituted;
writing, finds that adjournment of the same beyond the following day is
5 necessary:
(ii) for the words “four years”, the words “eight years” shall be
substituted; 5 Provided that such trial shall be completed within a period of three
months from the date of filing of the chargesheet.
(c) in sub-section (3),––
(5)The cases or trials pertaining to offences under this Act or any other
(i) for the words “three years”, the words “five years” shall be law for the time being in force as specified in sub-section (3), which are
substituted; 10 pending on the date of commencement of the Public Examinations (Prevention
(ii) for the words “one crore rupees. In”, the words “five crore
of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026, shall stand transferred to the Special
rupees, and in” shall be substituted. 10
Fast TrackCourt designated under sub-section (2).
Amendment of 3. In section 11 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1),––
(6)The trial of cases transferred under sub-section (5) shall be conducted
section 11.
by the Special Fast Track Court designated under sub-section (2) from the
(i) for the words “five years”, the words “seven years” shall be 15 stage it is received upon such transfer and shall be completed within a period
substituted; of three months from the date of such receipt.
(ii) for the words “one crore rupees. In”, the words “ten crore rupees, (7)EveryState Government and Union territory Administration shall, by
and in” shall be substituted. 15 notification, appoint one or more Special Public Prosecutors for every Special
Fast Track Court in accordance with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the
Amendment of 4. In section 12 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2),–– 46 of 2023. 20 Bharatiya Nagarik SurakshaSanhita, 2023, for conduct of cases under this Act.
section 12.
(a) after the words “Central Investigating Agency”, the words “or a
(8) Every person appointed as a Special Public Prosecutor under this
Special Task Force, as that Government may, by notification, constitute in this
section, shall be deemed to be a Public Prosecutor within the meaning of
behalf” shall be inserted;
clause (v) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
(b) the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:–– 20 46 of 2023. Sanhita, 2023 and the provisions of that Sanhita shall apply accordingly.
“Provided that where the Central Government constitutes a 25 12B. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Bharatiya Nagarik Appeals.
Special Task Force under this sub-section, such investigation shall be
46 of 2023. Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, an appeal shall lie from any judgment, sentence or
order, not being an interlocutory order, of a Special Fast Track Court to the
done only by the Special Task Force so constituted.”.
High Court.
Insertion of new 5. After section 12 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be
sections 12A and inserted, namely:–– 25 (2)Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be heard by a bench of two
12B. 30 Judges of the High Court and shall, as far as possible, be disposed of within a
period of three months from the date of admission of the appeal.
Fast tracked “12A. (1) The investigation of an offence under this Act, shall be
investigation and completed–– (3)Except as aforesaid, no appeal or revision shall lie to any Court from
Special Fast
any judgment, sentence or order including an interlocutory order of a
Track Courts.
(a) by an officer empowered to investigate under sub-section (1) SpecialFast TrackCourt.
of section 12, within a period of two months from the date on which
the information was recorded by the officer in-charge of the police 30 35 (4)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3) of section 419
station; or
46 of 2023. of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, an appeal shall lie to the
High Court against an order of the Special Fast Track Court granting or
(b) by a Central Investigating Agency, within a period of two refusing bail.
months from the date of a reference made to it by the Central
(5)Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of
Government under sub-section (2) of the said section; or
40 thirty days from the date of the judgment,sentence or order appealed from:
(c) by a Special Task Force, within a period of two months from 35
Provided that the High Court may entertain an appeal after the expiry of
the date of issuance of notification in this behalf by the Central
the said period of thirty days if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient
Government under sub-section (2) of the said section.
cause for not preferring the appeal within the period of thirty days:
(2) For the purposes of providing a speedy trial on day-to-day basis,
Provided further that no appeal shall be entertained after the expiry of
every State Government and Union territory Administration shall, in
consultation with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court, by 40
45 the period of ninety days.”.
notification, designate a Court of Session, to be a Special Fast Track Court to
try offences under this Act.
(3) A Special Fast Track Court designated under sub-section (2) shall,
while trying offences under this Act, also try other offences connected thereto
with which the accused may be charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya 4 5
Sanhita, 2023 or any other law for the time being in force, at the same trial. 45 of 2023.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (the said
Act) was enacted to prevent resorting to unfair means in public examinations and to
provide for matters connectedtherewith and incidental thereto. The said Act, being
a pan-Indian legislation, aims at effectively deterring persons, organised groups and
institutions from indulging in unfair means thereby committing offences, adversely
impacting the sanctity of public examinations. The objective of the said Act is to
bring greater transparency, fairness and credibility and inspire confidence in the
public examinations system.
2.In recent years, there have been some incidents of question paper leakages
and malpractices in examinations conducted by public examination authorities,
which tend to affect the transparency and fairness of the public examinations
system.
3.Hence, in order to further strengthen the fairness, to enhance the credibility
of the public examinations system and to facilitate speedy trial and ensure time
bound investigations of offences under the said Act, it is necessary to make
amendments in the said Act, inter alia,––
(i) to empower all State Governments and Union territory
Administrations to designate any Court of Session to be a Special Fast Track
Court to try offences under the said Act;
(ii)to provide that the proceedings in such Special Fast Track Courts are
continued on day-to-day basis and the trial shall be completed within a period
of three months from the date of filing of the charge sheet;
(iii)to empower the Central Government to also constitute Special Task
Force for investigationof any offence, if necessary;
(iv)to provide that the investigations for offences under the said Act are
completed within a period of two months;
(v) to empower all State Governments and Union territory
Administrations to appoint one or more Special Public Prosecutors for conduct
of cases under the said Act;
(vi)to enhance the term of imprisonments and fines provided therein for
offences committed under the said Act; and
(vii) to provide for appeal mechanism as against any judgement,
sentence or orderto a bench of two Judges of the High Court, and for disposal
of the same within a period of three months from the date of admission of
appeal.
4.The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.
NEWDELHI; DR. JITENDRA SINGH.
The24thJuly, 2026.
_________
UTPAL KUMAR SINGH
UTPAL KUMAR SINGH
Secretary-General.
Secretary General
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