NEET: Centre moves to tighten anti-paper leak law with fast track courts, 10 year jail, Rs 10 crore fine

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing protests over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak controversy, the Central Government is preparing to strengthen the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, by introducing strict punishment and faster trials for paper leak cases.

The proposed amendments come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video message promised that the government would take further action to tackle examination fraud. Following this, the Amendment Bill is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha next week on Monday. 

Among the proposed amendments to the existing law, the setting up of fast-track courts to hear paper leak cases is one of the key provisions. These courts are expected to complete trials and deliver judgments within three months.

The government is also planning to increase the punishment for those involved in paper leaks. As per the proposed changes, offenders could face up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.

Under the existing law, individuals convicted in paper leak cases can be punished with three to five years in jail and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. The current Act also provides for a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for service providers who fail to report suspected offences. In cases involving organised crime, the punishment ranges from five to ten years of imprisonment along with a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore, according to an NDTV report. 

Response from PM

Medical Dialogues had reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 23 (Thursday), on his official X handle, announced that the government will set up fast-track courts to ensure quick trials and strict punishment for the accused.

Later that night, he released a video message saying that paper leaks have caused pain to lakhs of students and their families and assured that the government has been working over the past two and a half months to address the issue.

He said those responsible for the paper leaks had been arrested and that the government's immediate priority was to ensure that students did not lose an academic year by conducting the examinations again for around 22 lakh candidates.

PM Modi's post on X came after the Delhi High Court announced a fast-track court to hear such cases. The late-night video statement was the second post by PM Modi on the issue in a single day.

In the video, he said, "Friends, I know that paper leak is not an ordinary issue. It is very painful for lakhs of students and their families. That is why many steps have been taken in the last two and a half months. The culprits have been caught and are in jail. Our most important responsibility was to ensure that students do not waste a single year. It was very important to conduct the exams immediately."

"I gave instructions to the departments for the fast-track court. Today, the departments worked hard and gave me the approval late at night. Tomorrow, there will be a discussion in the Cabinet. After the suggestions of the Cabinet members, it will be given its final form. And from Monday, when the second week of Parliament starts, we will try to get that Bill passed as soon as possible," PM Modi added. 

Following the Prime Minister's announcement, Gandhi reiterated his demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Private Member Bill Seeks to allow states to opt out of NEET

Meanwhile, a Private Member Bill seeking to abolish NEET for medical and dental admissions has been listed for introduction in Parliament.

Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson announced that his Medical Education Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been listed as Serial No. 16 in the Rajya Sabha's business for July 24, 2026. The Bill proposes amendments to the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and the National Dental Commission Act, 2023.

Sharing the update on social media, Wilson said that if the Bill becomes law, States would be free to opt out of NEET and frame their own admission procedures for undergraduate medical and dental courses.

Also read- NEET paper leak: Resident doctors across India demand accountability, action, exam reforms