New Delhi: The Bill to ostensibly stop cheating in public examinations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to while addressing ‘Friends’ in a late night video on July 23 was not part of the official briefing after the cabinet meeting. The Wire has seen a copy of the Bill that has been prepared without a draft in the public domain or any wider consultation with opposition, experts or other stakeholders – definitely not the students.The proposed Bill states:1. Minimum punishment for paper leak and unfair means in exams enhanced from three years to five years with maximum sentence of 10 years and fine of Rs 50 lakh.2. For organised crimes of paper leaks, minimum sentence increased to seven years and fine of Rs 10 crore.3. Central government can constituted Special Task Force to investigate paper leaks.4. Investigations have to be completed in two months.5. Speedy trial on day to day basis and trials have to be completed within three months of filing of chargesheet.6. Appeals if preferred should be decided within three months (as far as possible).According to the Bill, the reasons for bringing this law is:i) to empower all State Governments and Union territory Administrations to designate any Court of Session to be a Special Fast Track Court to try offences under the said Act;(ii) to provide that the proceedings in such Special Fast Track Courts are continued on day-to-day basis and the trial shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of filing of the charge sheet;(iii) to empower the Central Government to also constitute Special Task Force for investigation of any offence, if necessary;(iv) to provide that the investigations for offences under the said Act are completed within a period of two months;(v) to empower all State Governments and Union territory Administrations to appoint one or more Special Public Prosecutors for conduct of cases under the said Act;(vi) to enhance the term of imprisonments and fines provided therein for offences committed under the said Act; and(vii) to provide for appeal mechanism as against any judgement, sentence or order to a bench of two Judges of the High Court, and for disposal of the same within a period of three months from the date of admission of appeal.Read the draft below. THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS (PREVENTION OF UNFAIR MEANS) AMENDMENT BILL, 2026 by The Wire