Introducing the Bill, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the amendments reflected the government's willingness to "learn from experience" and strengthen the anti-paper leak law enacted in 2024. He said 52 FIRs had been registered under the existing law and asserted that the Centre had acted swiftly against those involved in examination fraud. Singh also accused the opposition of politicising the issue instead of offering constructive suggestions.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi praised students who had led protests over the NEET paper leak, saying they had safeguarded the country's future by forcing attention on examination integrity.
"I congratulate all the students who protested. The future of the country is secure because of them," Gandhi said, adding that all political parties should appreciate the role played by students. He also said India's education system was expensive and paper leaks inflicted severe emotional and financial hardship on families.
Gandhi questioned the police action against protesters, arguing that only the Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister could authorise such use of force. He also alleged that the RSS, and not former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan alone, was the "real enemy" of students.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed concerns over the crackdown, saying the entire country had witnessed the police action. Referring to injured demonstrators, she alleged that one student had lost an eye during the protests and demanded accountability from the government.
Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi accused the Centre of subjecting innocent students to "atrocities and oppression" for raising concerns over examination irregularities. He argued that students seeking justice should not have faced police action.
Responding to the criticism, Jitendra Singh rejected the allegations, maintaining that the authorities had exercised "utmost restraint" and ensured that there were no casualties during the protests.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also targeted the government over the alleged use of force against demonstrators. He claimed that pellet guns, tear gas shells and lathis had been used, leaving several students injured. Yadav questioned who had authorised the action, saying the Delhi Police and central armed forces function under the Union Home Ministry and must be answerable to Parliament.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra described the passage of the Bill as "an absolute mockery", arguing that the government had been forced to amend the 2024 law because it had failed to prevent paper leaks. While stating that the Opposition was prepared to support stronger legislation in the interest of students, she criticised the government for refusing to address key demands, including withdrawal of FIRs against protesting students, a discussion on the alleged use of force by the Delhi Police and CRPF/RAF, and a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Moitra also defended Rahul Gandhi, saying his remarks had been misconstrued because repeated disruptions prevented him from completing his speech. "This is not democracy," she said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis backed the legislation and criticised Rahul Gandhi's intervention, saying he had no time to listen to what he described as political rhetoric. Fadnavis said the focus should remain on strengthening laws to eliminate paper leaks and protect honest students.
Despite the acrimonious exchanges, there was broad agreement across party lines that tougher legal provisions were necessary to curb organised examination fraud. The amendment provides for investigations to be completed within two months, time-bound trials through special fast-track courts, imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 50 lakh for individuals involved in paper leaks, while organised crime syndicates could face fines of up to Rs 10 crore.
The Bill was passed by voice vote, but the debate reflected continuing political divisions over the government's response to the NEET controversy and the treatment of students who took to the streets demanding accountability.
