Key Highlights * Bill introduces strict penalties, extending custodial sentences to 10 years for perpetrators. * Fines for individuals raised from 10 lakh to 50 lakh rupees; corporate entities may face up to 5 crore. * Special Fast‑Track Courts mandated to complete investigations in 60 days and trials in 90 days. * Central Legal Council empowered to coordinate multi‑agency investigations. * Legislative intent: to safeguard meritocracy and restore public confidence in examinations. Detailed Insights Parliament has now passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, following assent in both houses. The statute targets rampant leaks and coordinated cheating syndicates, aligning the legal framework with modern technology threats. Key provisions include: enhanced custodial punishment – extending sentences from the former 3–5 years to a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 years; substantial fines – raising individual penalties from 10 to 50 lakh rupees and corporate fines up to 5 crore; timelines for the judiciary – investigations confined to two months, with adjudication expected within three months; Special Fast‑Track Courts and dedicated prosecutors to ensure expeditious resolution; Legal Council for centralized intelligence and coordination. The measure is a response to public anxieties that large‑scale exam malpractices have eroded trust in a system that shapes millions of career trajectories. By tightening enforcement and speeding up judicial processes, the Bill aims to re‑affirm merit‑based selection and dam‑block deliberate fraud. Key Concepts * Public Examinations – standardized tests conducted by state or central bodies to select candidates for services or education. * Malpractice – illicit conduct during examination, including leaks, bribery, and unauthorized assistance. * Fast‑Track Court – a dedicated judicial venue designed to handle particular cases swiftly, with strict time limits. * Legal Council – a statutory committee formed by the Central Government to oversee investigation, coordination, and enforcement of exam‑related crimes. * Penalty – fines or custodial sentences imposed on offenders for breach of examination laws.