New Delhi: The Central Government is preparing to establish fast-track courts for the speedy trial of cases registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, as part of its efforts to strengthen action against paper leaks and organised examination fraud. According to government sources, the Centre will soon request state governments and the respective High Courts to set up special courts dedicated to hearing such cases, ensuring swift prosecution and timely punishment for those involved in examination-related offences.
Sources said the proposed fast-track courts will conduct day-to-day hearings to prevent paper leak, organised cheating and examination fraud cases from being delayed in the regular judicial process. The move aims to provide timely justice to students and job aspirants while reinforcing confidence in the integrity of India’s public examination system.
The initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement that the government would establish fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases. Emphasising that the future and welfare of the country’s youth are of paramount importance, the Prime Minister said that swift legal action against those responsible for examination fraud is essential to protect the credibility of public examinations.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which came into force on June 21, 2024, criminalises a wide range of examination-related offences. These include question paper leaks, unauthorised access to examination papers, tampering with answer sheets or computer systems, organised cheating, and other activities intended to manipulate the examination process.
The law applies to examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), recruitment examinations conducted by Central Government ministries and departments, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and any other examination authority notified by the Central Government. Consequently, cases involving irregularities in NEET, UGC-NET, CUET, and other NTA-conducted entrance examinations will also be prosecuted under the provisions of this Act.
According to official sources, four cases have so far been registered under the Act, with two falling under the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court. As a result, the establishment of fast-track courts under the jurisdictions of the Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh High Courts is being considered on a priority basis. The mechanism may later be expanded to other states depending on future requirements.
Government officials believe that dedicated courts will improve coordination among investigating agencies, prosecutors and the judiciary. Faster examination of evidence, prompt recording of witness statements and time-bound judicial proceedings are expected to strengthen prosecution against organised paper leak syndicates and examination fraud networks. The broader objective is to create a strong deterrent against examination-related crimes and safeguard the credibility of competitive examinations.
The proposal comes amid heightened public scrutiny of India’s examination system following irregularities reported in several competitive examinations, particularly those conducted by the National Testing Agency. The government has maintained that ensuring a fair, transparent and secure examination system is essential to protecting the interests of students and employment aspirants. Speedy investigation, prosecution and judicial disposal are therefore being treated as key priorities.
Legal and education experts believe that if fast-track courts function effectively, they could significantly reduce delays in adjudicating paper leak and organised examination fraud cases while enhancing public confidence in the examination process. However, they also note that the final outcome in every case will depend on the evidence presented before the court, witness testimonies and the completion of due judicial process.
