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Monsoon Session: Parliament set to resume on Monday after stormy first week, Paper Leak Bill in focus

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 26 Jul 2026 26 Jul 2026

New Delhi: Parliament will reconvene on Monday after political tensions over the NEET paper leak and former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation disrupted most of the Monsoon Session’s first week.

The government has placed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, at the top of its legislative agenda. The Lok Sabha has listed the Bill for introduction and passage on Monday, subject to its introduction.

Tougher punishment proposed

According to the Bill circulated among Members of Parliament, people convicted of leaking question papers or using other unfair means in public examinations could face five to 10 years in prison. They could also receive a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.

The proposed law prescribes harsher punishment for organised examination fraud. Those convicted could face a minimum jail term of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.

The Bill requires investigating agencies to complete their probes within two months. It also directs states and Union Territories to set up fast-track courts.

These courts must complete trials within three months after the filing of a chargesheet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently announced that the Centre would introduce a strict legal framework against paper leaks. He also promised time-bound trials for those responsible for compromising public examinations.

First week disrupted

Both Houses faced repeated adjournments during the first week of the Monsoon Session. Opposition parties demanded Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak before agreeing to a discussion.

Pradhan later stepped down as Union education minister. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi initially received additional charge of the Education Ministry before further administrative changes.

The government accused the opposition of imposing “pre-conditions” for a debate. The opposition maintained that the government must first fix accountability for the paper leak controversy.

The disruptions prevented the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha from conducting much of their listed business. Question Hour in the Lok Sabha did not function for even 15 minutes across five sittings.

Other Bills listed

The Lok Sabha will also consider the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026. It seeks to replace an ordinance that raised the Supreme Court’s sanctioned strength from 34 judges to 38.

Parliament must replace the ordinance with an Act before the Monsoon Session ends on August 13 for the change to remain valid.

The House has also listed committee reports, ministerial statements and matters under Rule 377 for Monday.

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