Anti-Paper Leak Bill Sparks High-Stakes Lok Sabha Face-Off Between NDA and Opposition

Lok Sabha to Hold Marathon Debate on Anti-Paper Leak Bill Today; Rahul, Priyanka, Bansuri, Tejasvi Among Key Speakers

The Lok Sabha is set for a marathon debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 on Tuesday (July 28), with senior leaders from both the Opposition and the ruling NDA expected to lock horns over the government’s proposed crackdown on paper leaks and examination fraud.

The discussion, scheduled to begin around 2 pm, will be the first full-fledged parliamentary debate on the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and is expected to dominate proceedings after repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session. The government has allotted eight hours for the debate following consultations among floor leaders convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Congress Deploys Top Leadership

The Congress is expected to field its senior leadership as it seeks to corner the government over alleged failures in protecting the integrity of public examinations.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to lead the party’s intervention, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also likely to participate. Senior Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal and Gaurav Gogoi are among those expected to speak during the debate.

The Opposition’s INDIA bloc is also likely to be represented by NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, as parties attempt to widen the discussion beyond the NEET controversy to broader concerns over recruitment and entrance examinations.

The Congress has repeatedly accused the Centre of failing to prevent the alleged NEET paper leak and has argued that stronger accountability, rather than only tougher penalties, is needed.

• NDA Lines Up Key Speakers
• The BJP is expected to counter the Opposition with a mix of senior and younger leaders.
• According to the proposed speakers’ list, Bansuri Swaraj and Tejasvi Surya are likely to be among the BJP’s principal speakers.

Other NDA allies expected to participate include TDP MP Lavu Krishna Devarayalu, JD(U)’s Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde, Apna Dal (S) leader Anupriya Patel, and NCP MP Sunil Tatkare.

Sources also indicated that either Saayoni Ghosh or Mitali Bagh could speak on behalf of the Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar-led faction of the Trinamool Congress.

The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday amid protests by Opposition members.

What the Amendment Bill Seeks to Do

The proposed legislation aims to strengthen the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 by prescribing stricter punishment for paper leak offences.

The amendments propose:

• Increasing the jail term from 3-5 years to 5-10 years.
• Raising the maximum fine from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
• Creating dedicated investigation mechanisms for examination-related offences.
• Providing for faster investigation and trial of paper leak cases.

The government says the amendments are intended to dismantle organised paper leak networks and restore public confidence in recruitment and entrance examinations.

Focus on NEET Row

The debate comes after a week of heated exchanges in Parliament, with Opposition parties demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, seeking the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and raising concerns over police action against student protesters.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has appealed to Opposition members to participate in the discussion, saying the government is prepared for a detailed debate on the legislation.

With both sides fielding prominent leaders, Tuesday’s proceedings are expected to be among the most closely watched debates of the Monsoon Session, as Parliament takes up legislation that could have far-reaching implications for the conduct and security of public examinations across the country.