India mulls tougher punishment for exam paper leaks after protests

India's government proposed longer jail terms and heftier fines for examination paper leaks on Tuesday.

The move seeks to restore public confidence after youth-led protests over education reforms rocked the country. The proposed bill was submitted to parliament days after the education minister resigned.

What is the new punishment for exam paper leaks in India?

The proposed legal change would double the maximum prison term for those involved in paper leaks to 10 years. Fines could exceed levels set under the current law, and court proceedings would be fast-tracked. The amendment updates India's existing anti-paper leak legislation.

What sparked the protests over exam paper leaks?

The legislative push follows weeks of protests over exam paper leaks and other irregularities in India's education system. The unrest culminated in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last week. It also presented a major challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

The protests were spearheaded by the online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement. The campaign drew massive support from young students across the country. Demonstrations in New Delhi turned violent on July 20 when large crowds tried to march toward parliament from the Jantar Mantar protest site. Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse the crowd, triggering clashes and a wave of detentions.

What did officials say about the bill?

The proposed amendments reaffirm the government's commitment to safeguarding the welfare of students and young people, senior minister Jitendra Singh told the lower house of parliament. The changes aim to make the legislation more stringent and ensure speedy justice, he said. Singh added that the goal is to enhance and reinstate the credibility of India's examination system.

Parliament reconvened last week for its monsoon session. The opening days were repeatedly disrupted by opposition lawmakers demanding accountability over the police crackdown on student-led protests. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the release of all detained protesters under the age of 18 who have no prior criminal record.

Why do paper leaks happen in India?

Examination paper leaks have long plagued India's highly competitive education system. Intense pressure to succeed has fueled a vast network of coaching centers.

This environment has created opportunities for criminal groups to profit by selling leaked question papers. Despite repeated government crackdowns, paper leaks remain a recurring problem in both national and state-level examinations.