New Delhi, July 28:The Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju assuring the House that the government was prepared to extend the discussion to as much as 10 hours to facilitate a detailed debate.

Rijiju informed the House that after consultations with leaders of major political parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), DMK and NCP, there was consensus to extend the originally scheduled six-hour discussion by two hours.

"I spoke to the leaders of all parties, including the Congress Chief Whip, the Samajwadi Party Chief Whip, the DMK and the NCP. Everyone agreed to extend the six-hour discussion by two hours, making it eight hours," Rijiju said.

He further stated that the government had no objection to allowing even more time if members wished to continue the debate.

"If an additional two hours are required, the government has no objection. We can discuss and decide. The Speaker has also indicated there is no objection to extending the debate further. If needed, we are ready for a 10-hour discussion," he added.

Opening the debate on the Bill, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh described the proposed legislation as a "milestone" aimed at strengthening the integrity of India's public examination system.

Singh said the amendment builds upon the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, the first such legislation enacted in independent India to address paper leaks and examination-related malpractices.

He said the amendments seek to enhance the credibility, transparency and fairness of public examinations while ensuring that deserving students are rewarded for their hard work and merit.

"The earlier Act and this amendment reaffirm the government's commitment to safeguarding the welfare and future of the country's youth. The Prime Minister is determined not to allow anyone to compromise with the future of Mother India," Singh said.

Highlighting the prevalence of paper leaks and examination fraud across different states under various governments, Singh stressed the need for a comprehensive legal framework to curb such offences.

He noted that the 2024 Act was introduced in January and notified in June the same year with the objective of restoring confidence in the examination process.

"The objective was to bring greater credibility and transparency to public examinations and reassure students that their genuine efforts would be recognised and their future protected," he said.

Singh added that experience gained from implementing the 2024 law had prompted the government to introduce the amendment to further strengthen the examination system and ensure faster justice.

According to him, the Bill proposes stricter penalties for offenders and classifies offences related to examination malpractice as cognisable and non-bailable.

Referring to earlier efforts to establish a common testing framework, Singh said the idea was first recommended in 1992, while a committee was constituted during the UPA government in 2010. He noted that the National Testing Agency (NTA) was eventually set up in 2017.

"You must compliment Prime Minister Narendra Modi and this government for completing an unfinished task," Singh said.