New Delhi: The uproar in Parliament regarding the 'Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026' is expected to come to an end. According to the news agency PTI, the Opposition has agreed to initiate a discussion on the bill starting this Tuesday.

Following a meeting mediated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with various party leaders, both the government and the Opposition agreed to debate and vote on the bill on July 28. Media reports suggest that the discussion is slated to begin at 12:00 PM on Tuesday.

Monday’s Disruptions Over NEET Protestors The Public Examinations Amendment Bill was officially introduced on Monday. However, discussions were derailed due to heavy protests from the Opposition, who remained adamant about debating the recent police lathi-charge on students protesting the NEET paper leak.

The Congress party demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah come to the House and issue an official statement on the matter. Consequently, the Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned four times throughout the day. Whenever the session resumed, MPs from Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) stormed the well of the House holding banners and raising slogans.

NDA MPs Welcome Dharmendra Pradhan Former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan arrived in Parliament on Monday for the first time since his resignation. NDA MPs gave him a warm welcome, honoring him with a shawl and a Mithila Paag (traditional headgear) as they escorted him inside the Parliament building. Slogans of "Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad" were also raised. Pradhan had stepped down on July 25 amid the escalating NEET paper leak controversy.

Key Changes Proposed in the 2026 Amendment Bill The Central Government has introduced this amendment bill to introduce stricter changes to the existing 2024 law.

• Harsher Penalties: The amendment introduces significantly stricter punishments and heavier fines for those accused of orchestrating paper leaks.

• Fast-Track Courts: State governments and Union Territories will be granted the authority to establish special fast-track courts for day-to-day hearings of such cases.

• Wide Jurisdiction: The law will apply to all public examinations conducted by the central government and its agencies. This includes UPSC, SSC, Railway recruitment, Banking recruitment, NTA, and other central recruitment and entrance exams.

• Background: The government expedited this amendment following the massive NEET paper leak controversy and widespread student protests. PM Modi announced the tightening of the law on July 23.

• Task Force Formed: Additionally, a high-powered task force for examination reforms has been announced, which will be chaired by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.