The Lok Sabha on Tuesday witnessed a stormy debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Opposition questioning the government's handling of paper leaks and student protests, while the Centre defended the proposed amendments as a major step toward restoring the credibility of India's examination system.

Leading the Opposition's attack, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the government's use of pellet guns against protesting students, asking whether they were being treated as "terrorists." She urged the Centre to respond to students' concerns instead of resorting to force.

Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi accused the government of failing to reform the education system despite introducing the anti-paper leak law in 2024. He pointed out that major examination leaks continued in 2026 and demanded accountability for the alleged use of force against students during protests. Gogoi also questioned why only the National Testing Agency's Director General was replaced while broader institutional accountability remained unaddressed.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a swipe at the government over former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Referring to his removal, Yadav remarked that by removing one "Pradhan," the government had effectively protected the "Pradhan Mantri." He alleged that the government relied on slogans rather than meaningful reforms and claimed that students had compelled the Centre to act through sustained protests.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee supported stronger legal provisions to tackle examination fraud but argued that legislation alone would not solve the problem. He described the Bill as an acknowledgment of systemic failure and called for comprehensive reforms to improve transparency and accountability in the examination process.

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran opposed the idea of a "One India, One Exam" framework, arguing that India's diverse educational landscape required state-specific approaches. He also questioned the effectiveness of NEET, pointing out that paper leaks had continued despite the existing examination system.

Telugu Desam Party MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu proposed three key measures to strengthen the law, including regular monitoring of fast-track courts, filling vacancies in forensic departments to speed up investigations, and introducing reforms in coaching institutions by making education non-profit.

Defending the Bill, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh described the amendment as a landmark piece of legislation aimed at protecting the future of students. He said the revised law significantly strengthens punishment for examination fraud, ensures time-bound investigations, and mandates speedy trials through fast-track courts. According to the minister, the amendments are designed to curb organised examination mafias and reinforce public confidence in the country's examination system.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also backed the legislation, stating that organised paper leak networks had become a serious challenge and required stricter legal provisions. She said the Bill would remove jurisdictional ambiguities, establish a dedicated central task force, and ensure investigations and trials are completed within fixed timelines.

While the Opposition maintained that it supported stronger measures against paper leaks, it insisted that the government must also answer questions regarding police action against protesting students and broader failures in examination governance. The government, however, argued that the amended law would significantly strengthen India's ability to combat organised examination fraud and ensure fair, transparent, and credible public examinations.