Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. (Source: ANI screengrab)The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 has been passed in the Rajya Sabha soon after the Opposition staged a walkout.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah explain who ordered the use of tear gas and police action against student protesters in Delhi. Stating that accountability rests with the Home Minister, Kharge said, “If he can’t answer, he should resign. Or PM should remove him.” He also alleged that the revised Bill contains no effective provisions to prevent paper leaks and claimed its sole purpose was to pacify public anger following the student protests over the NEET paper leak.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026 for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha after the House resumed for the second time. Reiterating the government’s “zero tolerance for paper leaks” policy, Singh said the Bill seeks to strengthen the legal framework against paper leaks. The proposed amendments mandate time-bound investigations and fast-track trials, while prescribing stricter penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore for organised paper leak racket. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha adjourned for the second time till 3pm today.
Parliament Agenda: On the ninth day of the Monsoon Session, the Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, for consideration and passing on Thursday. The Bill, to be moved by Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the apex court from 34 to 38 judges. At present, the Act provides for a maximum of 33 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India. Under the existing law, the apex court can have a maximum of 33 judges, excluding the CJI. The Cabinet had approved the proposal in May. The Rajya Sabha is set to consider and pass the exam leak bill on Thursday. The Upper House will also consider the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill 2026, which proposes changes to the MSME Development Act 2006, to improve payment systems, make compliance easier and speed up the resolution of disputes involving micro, small and medium enterprises.
Anti-paper leak Bill: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, bringing in stricter measures to curb exam paper leaks. A voice vote passed the legislation after a two-day debate, which saw repeated disruptions and multiple adjournments. The Opposition accused the government of ordering police brutality during the July 20 police action against students. This led to stormy scenes on the floor and protests from the treasury benches. One of the words used by Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during his speech on Wednesday was later expunged from the House records. Later, the government hailed the passage of the Bill.
Rajya Sabha passes the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 through voice vote.
With that, the Rajya Sabha has been adjourned.
Jitendra Singh refers to the “so-called brutality” against students raised by Opposition MPs, says “it is not so, there has not been any casualty reported.”
Leader of the House J P Nadda says Opposition has no respect for parliamentary democracy, whereas the ruling party is ready to have a discussion on any topic under the sun. He condemns the walkout by Opposition members. Replying to the debate, MoS Jitender Singh says it is unfortunate that "many of the MPs who were most vociferous have walked out."
"We have made an earnest effort to free medical education from management quotas," he added.
Before Union Minister Jitendra Singh begins his reply to the discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha, Opposition raises slogans demanding the Home Minister address the House and walks out.
During a debate in the Rajya Sabha over the anti-paper leak bill, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi says, "The central government is sensitive, Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh held two rounds of talks; Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned while respecting students' feelings."
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Delhi: During a debate in the Rajya Sabha over the anti-paper leak bill, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi says, "The central government is sensitive, Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh held two rounds of talks; Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned while… pic.twitter.com/diJPzULi1y
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 30, 2026
"Wrong to suggest that PM Modi is insensitive to the youth protests", says NCP MP Praful Patel in Rajya Sabha during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Parliament Monsoon Session: "Wrong to suggest that PM Modi is insensitive to the youth protests", says NCP MP Praful Patel in Rajya Sabha during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 30, 2026
Source: Third party pic.twitter.com/NL11FhQEBJ
"Government playbook is to put labels and morally disqualify protests it can't handle; farmers were called 'andolanjeevi', students 'urban naxals'," says TMC MP Sagarika Ghose in Rajya Sabha.
"Making law stringent is futile excise. Scrap NEET is our demand," says DMK's Tiruchi Siva during anti-paper leak Bill debate in Rajya Sabha.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Delhi: "Making law stringent is futile excise. Scrap NEET is our demand," says DMK's Tiruchi Siva during anti-paper leak Bill debate in Rajya Sabha.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 30, 2026
(Source: Sansad TV)#delhi pic.twitter.com/NMWGivGSs4
Justice delayed is justice denies but, justice hurried is also justice buried, says BJD's Santrupt Mishra. "When question papers are leaked or stolen, the future of millions of students are stolen," he adds.
"Can we simply reply on criminal justice systems to ensure the future generations are secure?" he says.
Lok Sabha has been adjourned for the day after passage of bill to prevent insult to national song Vande Mataram.
During a debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose says, “The treasury benches are not worried because their children are studying abroad. They have no skin in the game.”
Lok Sabha has passed the Bill to prevent insult to Vande Mataram.
The Bill criminalises intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, thereby according it legal sanctity at par with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
Leader of House J P Nadda urges chair in RS to expunge Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks against 'Manusmriti', saying it can create unrest in society.
Chaos ensues in Rajya Sabha as Mallikarjun Kharge is repeatedly asked by the Chairman to conclude his speech.
Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha alleged that India's education system is facing a severe crisis, claiming that nearly 10 lakh teaching posts remain vacant across the country. Speaking during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, Kharge questioned the state of education and alleged that "RSS functionaries have taken vice-chancellor posts in many educational institutions in the country," accusing the ruling dispensation of influencing academic institutions.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 3. 30 pm for the third time on Thursday.
Speaking during the discussion on paper leak Bill in the Rajya Sabha, COngress leader Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah explain who ordered the use of tear gas and police action against student protesters in Delhi. Stating that accountability rests with the Home Minister, Kharge said, "If he can't answer, he should resign. Or PM should remove him."
Congress leadree Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement in the Rajya Sabha on the police brutality against students in jantar Mantar protest. Accusing the Home Minister of evading accountability, Kharge said, “You’re sitting inside a room, without being answerable to anything, but we will bring you out,” saying that Shah could not avoid answering Parliament over the allegations.
Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in his address in the Rajya Sabha, said that the Centre removed former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan only after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's agitation over the paper leak. "They got scared by Rahul Gandhi's agitation. That is when they decided to remove former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan... to save the Prime Minister's chair," Kharge said during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill. He accused the government of prioritising politics over safeguarding students' future and alleged that while it brought legislation to curb protests in Delhi, it failed to introduce reforms to prevent examination irregularities. "You brought the bill to stop the protests in Delhi. You did not bring in the bill for reforms," he said.
Congress Leader Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha criticised the government's anti-paper leak Bill, questioning why the proposed changes were not incorporated when the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill was enacted in 2024. Calling it "rushed legislation", Kharge said the government was being forced to amend the law within just two years. He also alleged that the revised Bill contains no effective provisions to prevent paper leaks and claimed its sole purpose was to pacify public anger following the student protests over the NEET paper leak.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge starts speaking in Rajya Sabha on the exam leak Bill on Thursday.
Defending the exam leak Bill in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the legislation introduces strict timelines for investigation and trial of paper leak cases while enhancing penalties for offenders. He said investigations into such cases will have to be completed within two months, while States and Union Territories will be empowered to designate Sessions Courts as special fast-track courts to conduct day-to-day hearings and conclude trials within three months of the filing of the chargesheet. Singh added that individuals found guilty of paper leaks or other unfair means in public examinations will face imprisonment of five to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 50 lakh, while organised rackets will attract a minimum jail term of seven years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore. The Centre will also have the power to constitute special task forces to investigate cases whenever required.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm.
Both Houses of Parliament resumed proceedings at 2 pm on Thursday. In the Rajya Sabha, Minister Jitendra Singh tabled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to introduce stricter measures to curb examination paper leaks. The Bill was taken up in the Upper House after it was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. As he spoke, Opposition members raised protests in the House.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a high-level meeting with senior members of his government, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The meeting comes amid a number of issues on the government’s radar, including the deadlock in Parliament over students’ protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Other issues likely on the agenda include continued conflict between the US and Iran, as well as Russia’s war on Ukraine, and the possible impact on the country’s energy supply. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is also among those attending the meeting, as are Health Minister JP Nadda and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Read Here
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm as Question Hour ends.
During Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the government has recognised gig workers under the Labour Codes and created a dedicated framework for their social security. Responding to a question from DMK MP P Wilson on why the government had not implemented the social security framework prescribed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mandaviya said gig workers can register on the e-Shram portal to avail benefits. "We have a separate model for social security for gig workers in the Labour Codes, where we have also kept some flexibility," the minister said.
The government is set to take up the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Thursday afternoon. The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a Bill that criminalises intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, thereby according it legal sanctity at par with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
Question Hour commences in the Rajya Sabha
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Singh Nagar on Thursday raised the need for a 'One Nation, One Digital Metro Card' during Zero Hour.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, J P Nadda said the government is willing to discuss any issue raised by the Opposition, while accusing opposition parties of deliberately disrupting proceedings since the start of the Monsoon Session. Speaking during Zero Hour, Nadda alleged that the Opposition was "shifting the goalposts" instead of participating in debates. "I want to clarify on behalf of the government that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is willing to discuss any matter and whenever discussions have happened, the opposition has fallen flat on their face. They are in the habit of doing this and I condemn this strongly, " Nadda stated.
Soon after proceedings began in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Opposition members raised slogans of "Amit Shah Sadan Mein Aao" as Congress MP Pramod Tiwari raised the issue of police brutality against students during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.
Soon after the House convened on Thursday, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm.
Ahead of the Parliament Monsoon Session, Opposition leaders on Thursday staged a protest inside the Parliament premises against the police action on students during the July 20 demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Parliament Monsoon Session: Opposition leaders hold protest inside Parliament premises over police action during Jantar Mantar protest.#parliamentsession #monsoonsession
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 30, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/4WMoxGedBj
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday submitted an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking a discussion on the need for a new anti-defection law. The proposal calls for legislation to curb mass political defections motivated by opportunism while safeguarding space for genuine ideological differences and principled dissent, both within Parliament and in state legislatures.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsCongress MP Manish Tewari has submitted an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha to discuss "the contours of a new Anti-Defection Law that proscribes Mass Political Defections driven by opportunism and bereft of any genuine ideological or policy differences while simultaneously… pic.twitter.com/nnnzR1RsqT
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2026
According to the List of Business, the Lok Sabha will table two reports of the Standing Committee on External Affairs on Thursday. The reports cover India's role and presence in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as well as the government's action taken on the committee's recommendations concerning the future of India-Bangladesh relations.
