India has announced a new series of reforms aimed at overhauling its public examination system in response to widespread protests triggered by exam paper leaks. These leaks exposed significant vulnerabilities in the recruitment and testing processes, prompting urgent government action.
On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration presented a bill in parliament proposing amendments to the legal framework that governs public examinations. This legislative move is part of a broader initiative to enhance transparency, improve security measures, and rebuild trust in competitive exams across the country.
The reforms come after weeks of nationwide demonstrations by young job seekers, following the exposure of multiple leaked exam papers in May. These incidents raised serious questions about fairness and accountability within the recruitment system.
The immediate catalyst for these changes was the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India’s undergraduate medical entrance exam, after its question papers were compromised. Approximately 2 million candidates were forced to retake the exam, an event linked to over a dozen student suicides. The cancellation sparked massive protests in Delhi and other major cities, leading to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In response, Modi announced the establishment of special courts to expedite prosecution of those involved in the leaks.
The proposed amendments target the Public Examinations Act, originally enacted in 2024 following similar NEET exam breaches. The law was designed to fortify the examination system by ensuring swift trials and time-bound investigations. It also set penalties for various offenders, including individuals using unfair means, companies assisting in exam conduct, and officials within examination authorities.
Under the new proposals, the minimum prison sentence for offenders would increase from three to five years, while the maximum fine would rise fivefold—from 10 million rupees ($104,000) to 50 million rupees ($522,000). Additionally, the ban on companies found guilty of malpractice would be extended from four to eight years.
In a significant development, Modi also announced the formation of a “high-powered panel” led by technology expert Nandan Nilekani to spearhead examination reforms. Nilekani, renowned for his role in creating India’s digital identity system Aadhaar and co-founding Infosys, will guide efforts to leverage technology extensively to strengthen the examination framework. Modi emphasized that measures based on the panel’s recommendations will be implemented swiftly to ensure the credibility and reliability of exams.
These reforms build upon earlier efforts following the 2024 NEET leaks, when a government-appointed expert panel submitted 101 recommendations aimed at improving the system. While many suggestions are still being rolled out, key initiatives such as transitioning from pen-and-paper tests to computer-based exams and conducting exams in multiple shifts remain in progress. The panel’s head informed the Supreme Court in May that most major recommendations have either been implemented or are underway.
