New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Following a week-long parliamentary impasse, the Lok Sabha commenced a key debate on Tuesday regarding the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh opened the discussion, describing the proposed legislation as a continuation of the 2024 Act and a landmark step toward safeguarding the future of Indian students. Highlighting the history of examination irregularities, Minister Singh noted that paper leaks have historically affected various states across party lines, citing past incidents including the 2009 Railway Recruitment Board and 2011 AIIMS entrance tests to underscore the necessity of a stringent central framework.
The debate drew sharp criticism from Opposition benches, with leaders questioning the effectiveness of existing administrative measures and the operational transparency of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticized the government’s handling of recent examination failures, calling for greater accountability and raising concerns over the implementation of recommendations made by the K. Radhakrishnan committee. Echoing similar concerns, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav questioned why paper leaks persisted in 2026 despite the enactment of the original anti-leak legislation in 2024, emphasizing widespread public distress and criticizing the practice of outsourcing key administrative roles.
