According to sources, the law is anticipated to be amended to raise the jail sentence and financial penalties for those involved in document leaks.

New Delhi:
The national government is considering tightening paper leak and cheating regulations in response to student complaints over NEET paper leaks.

Sources tell that the government is considering strengthening the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, a day after the Prime Minister's late-night video address pledged additional action.

At a Friday afternoon cabinet meeting, sources expect the revisions to pass.

Sources indicated likely improvements include fast-track courts for document leak cases.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted Thursday morning that he ordered fast-track courts for document leak cases.

Sources also expect the modifications to raise document leakers' prison time and fines.

A document leak conviction carries a 3- to 5-year jail sentence and a Rs 10 lakh fine.

Current legislation fines service providers that fail to disclose probable offenses up to Rs 1 crore.

Organized crime is punishable by 5–10 years in jail and Rs 1 crore minimum fine.

After Cabinet assent, the Lok Sabha may move the Amendment Bill on Monday.

Opposition Leader On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi alleged 150 document leaks in 10 years without prosecutions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday will see stronger action in document leak instances in a video message Thursday night.

PM Modi posted on X after the Delhi High Court approved a fast-track court for such matters. A late-night video statement by PM Modi addressed the issue again in a day.Friends, paper leaks are rare. “Lakhs of students and their families suffer.” PM Modi said, “So, we have taken many steps in the last two-and-a-half months.”The perpetrators are in prison. Our top priority was preventing students from wasting a year. He said, “It was very important to conduct the exams immediately,” and the government used its full power to arrange exams for at least 22 lakh students.Fast-track court departments were under my control. Departments worked hard today and gave me permission late-night. Cabinet will discuss tomorrow. The cabinet's proposals will complete it. In the video message, PM Modi added in Hindi, "We will try to pass that Bill as soon as possible from Monday, when the second week of Parliament begins."

In response to PM Modi's video, Rahul Gandhi says students want Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.