Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that reform in the education sector has become compulsory at a national scale, emphasizing the need for tougher laws to prevent paper leaks and protect the future of the nation’s youth. In a message released on Instagram, PM Modi asserted that the government will not spare any paper mafia, paper leak gang, or individuals who attempt to jeopardize the youth’s future.
The statement comes after Parliament cleared a tougher anti-paper leak Bill, which aims to ensure transparency in education. PM Modi expressed satisfaction that the Bill has been passed with tough laws and provisions, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to reform the education sector.
The passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Rajya Sabha was met with a stormy exchange between the Opposition and the government. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation, alleging that the government had ignored demands for a strong law against paper leaks in 2024.
Kharge claimed that the amendments merely enhanced penalties and created new enforcement mechanisms without addressing the root causes of recurring paper leaks. He also questioned the use of force against students and sought accountability for the police action, claiming that over 100 students were injured and several were hospitalized.
The Opposition later staged a walkout before the House reconvened in the afternoon. During the discussion on the Bill, several Opposition MPs raised demands to do away with the NEET examination altogether, returning to a decentralized system. Some MPs also called for the National Testing Agency (NTA) to be rolled back, citing the scale of the coaching industry and the need to review NEET.
The government defended the Bill, with Union Minister Jitendra Singh stating that the amendments reflect the government’s willingness to learn from experience and make the law more stringent. However, the Opposition remains skeptical, with some MPs arguing that the Bill does not address the root causes of paper leaks and that the government is admitting that paper leaks will continue.
The passage of the Bill marks a significant development in the government’s efforts to reform the education sector, but the debate surrounding its effectiveness and the need for further reforms is likely to continue.
