Union Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh piloted the bill while BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj defended the proposed legislation as a major step towards strengthening the integrity of public examinations and protecting students’ interests.
Initiating the debate, Singh said, “The anti-paper leak Bill is a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to safeguard the welfare of students and youth. The amendment is being brought to make the law more stringent. The government had completed the long-pending task of enacting a law against examination malpractices in 2024,” he said.
The government introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday, proposing stricter punishment of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh for those involved in the paper leaks. The Bill also seeks to provide for fast-track courts and special public prosecutors to ensure speedy trials.
Bansuri Swaraj described the amendment as “transformative” and said it was “not just necessary but the need of the hour”, reflecting what she called the Modi government’s responsible approach in tackling examination-related crimes.
Also read | A China-made machine sends shockwaves through chip industry
She accused the Opposition of displaying “selective outrage” over paper leaks, alleging that it was attempting to create a narrative that such incidents began only after the BJP-led NDA came to power in 2014.”This is not about whataboutery but about calling out the Opposition’s selective outrage. Principles cannot change depending on which government is in power,” Swaraj said.
Swaraj claimed there were 22 paper leak incidents between 2004 and 2014 at the Centre and in states ruled by the Congress and its allies, including alleged irregularities in examinations such as AIIMS PG (2006), CLAT (2009), Railway Recruitment Board (2009), AIEEE (2011) and SSC-CGL (2013). She also referred to the recruitment examination controversies in Rajasthan, the teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal, alleged police recruitment irregularities in Uttar Pradesh, examination paper leaks in Telangana and the pharmacy officer recruitment examination in Punjab this year.
Also read | CJP on warpath again? Spokesman drops big hint
Highlighting the government’s response, Swaraj said the Modi government had undertaken structural reforms, including establishing the National Testing Agency (NTA) in 2017 to meet the long-pending demand for a single testing agency. She also cited the expansion of higher education institutions, including IITs, IIMs, AIIMS and universities.
