New Delhi : The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister has ended the parliamentary stalemate caused by protests over examination paper leaks, allowing the Government to resume normal functioning and advance its legislative agenda during the monsoon session.
The Government will introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha tomorrow. The bill aims to prevent future paper leaks in competitive exams by introducing strong penal provisions. Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh will present the bill, having engaged in talks with Union Health Minister JP Nadda and representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party to resolve protests related to the NEET-UG paper leak.
The monsoon session’s first week was largely disrupted by opposition protests, but the Government now intends to prioritise legislative business for the remaining part of the session, which runs until August 13. Following its introduction, Jitendra Singh will also move the bill for passage.
The amendment bill contains seven key changes intended to close enforcement loopholes, establish specialised judicial mechanisms, and expedite criminal trials. It proposes strict time limits for investigations and court proceedings.
State Governments and Union Territory administrations will be empowered to designate Courts of Session as Special Fast Track Courts dedicated to trying offences under the act. These courts must conduct trials on a daily basis, aiming for completion within three months from the filing of the chargesheet.
The Centre retains the authority to form Special Task Forces to tackle complex or cross-state examination fraud. Investigations into offences must be completed within two months to avoid procedural delays. Additionally, State Governments and UT administrations may appoint specialised legal counsel to prosecute examination malpractice.
The bill also increases terms of imprisonment and financial penalties for individuals, coaching centres, and service providers involved in organised paper leaks.
During the initial disrupted week, two bills were introduced: the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha. Other planned bills include the Income-tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.
The 37-day-long protest led by the Cockroach Janata Party, gaining wider support through activist Sonam Wangchuk’s fast, culminated on July 25 with the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The monsoon session, which began on July 20, is scheduled to continue until August 13.
