Parliament is set for another politically charged day on Thursday as the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 moves to the Rajya Sabha, a day after it was passed by the Lok Sabha following a heated debate over paper leaks and recent student protests. The Upper House is expected to take up the legislation around 2 pm, with nearly seven hours reportedly set aside for discussion. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Mukul Wasnik are among those expected to participate. The proposed law seeks to strengthen action against examination malpractices through tougher penalties for paper leaks, Special Task Forces and Fast Track Courts. The Lok Sabha cleared the legislation by voice vote on Wednesday after a marathon discussion that began Tuesday afternoon and continued until late in the evening before resuming the following day. The debate, however, was dominated as much by the political confrontation over the treatment of protesting students as by the provisions of the bill itself.

The political fight continued outside the House after BJP leaders rejected Rahul Gandhi's allegations concerning the July 20 student protest. BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra said no shots were fired at students and rejected Gandhi's allegation that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered firing. Patra argued that Gandhi had produced no evidence to support the charge and said decisions involving firing are taken by a magistrate rather than a Union minister. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also targeted the Leader of Opposition during his reply to the debate, accusing him of using unparliamentary language and failing to follow basic parliamentary norms. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Gandhi had earlier exchanged sharp words in the Lok Sabha after a remark made by the Congress leader while recounting a conversation with a student drew objections from the treasury benches. Speaker Om Birla subsequently expunged the expression. BJP MP Rahul Sinha, meanwhile, defended the government's handling of the student agitation, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had understood the concerns of students and arguing that Congress had no right to lecture the government on paper leaks given similar incidents in Congress-ruled states.
Thursday's parliamentary agenda extends beyond the exam reforms bill. The Lok Sabha is scheduled to consider the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. Before taking up the legislation, the House is expected to discuss a statutory resolution moved by Opposition MPs seeking disapproval of the related ordinance promulgated earlier this year. Congress MP Manish Tewari has separately submitted an Adjournment Motion Notice seeking a discussion on a new anti-defection framework aimed at curbing mass political defections while preserving space for legitimate dissent. In the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has sought suspension of business to discuss alleged misuse of donations connected with the Ram Mandir. The Upper House is also scheduled to consider the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026. With the Opposition continuing to raise questions over student protests and examination irregularities while the government pushes ahead with its legislative agenda, another stormy day is expected in both Houses of Parliament.