Cabinet to announce fast-track courts, tougher punishment for paper leaks today, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night announced that the Union Cabinet will on Friday consider a draft law proposing fast-track courts and stricter punishment for examination paper leak cases, with the government aiming to secure its passage during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

In a video message released late on Thursday night, Modi described paper leaks as a serious issue that had shaken the confidence of millions of students and parents, saying the government was committed to putting in place a stronger legal framework to curb such incidents.

"This is not a minor issue. It has caused immense pain to lakhs of students and their parents," the Prime Minister said.

Recalling the government's response to the alleged NEET paper leak, Modi said the immediate focus was to protect students' academic future by ensuring that examinations were conducted without significant delay.

"Our foremost responsibility was to ensure that students did not lose an academic year. It was essential to conduct the examinations at the earliest," he said.

He said the government mobilised its entire administrative apparatus to conduct the examination for around 2.2 million candidates in a short span, adding that the results were announced on July 19.

"The government used its full capacity to organise the exams for nearly 2.2 million students in the shortest possible time. Just five or six days ago, on the 19th, the results were declared, and reports of successful candidates celebrating their achievements have been coming in from across the country," he said.

While highlighting that multiple arrests had already been made in connection with the alleged paper leak, Modi said punitive action alone was insufficient and that systemic reforms were necessary.

"But we are not the kind of people who are satisfied with just that. Therefore, today I directed the departments to prepare provisions for fast-track courts," he said.

The Prime Minister said the proposed legislation, prepared by officials during the day and submitted to him on Thursday night, provides for speedy trials and stringent punishment for offenders.

"The draft law includes provisions for fast-track courts and stringent punishment. It will be discussed in the Cabinet tomorrow. After incorporating the suggestions of Cabinet colleagues, the Bill will be given its final shape," he said.

"The second week of the Parliament session begins on Monday, and we will make every effort to get the Bill passed by both Houses at the earliest," he added.