NEET Paper Leak Row: PM Narendra Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts Bill Ahead of Cabinet Meeting
Addressing the nation in a late-night video message on social media, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Union Cabinet will review a draft legislation on Friday to establish designated fast-track courts aimed at ensuring swift trials and stringent punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.
The Prime Minister’s address comes amid nationwide demonstrations and intense legislative debates surrounding irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance test.
Key Highlights of PM Narendra Modi's Announcement
Cabinet Review: The proposed draft Bill, providing for specialised fast-track courts and severe penalties, will be presented before the Union Cabinet on Friday.
Parliamentary Timeline: The government aims to introduce and pass the Bill during the upcoming second week of the ongoing Parliamentary session starting Monday.
Academic Continuity: PM Modi highlighted that conducting the re-examinations rapidly for over 22 lakh students was essential to protect their academic year, noting that results were published on July 16.
Strict Action: Key perpetrators and accused networks have already been apprehended and remain in judicial custody.
Draft Legislation Pathway
Prime Minister's Statement on Fast-Track Courts
Acknowledging the distress experienced by medical aspirants and their families, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's determination to implement long-term structural reforms.
"I am aware that the paper leak issue is not a trivial matter; it is deeply distressing for lakhs of students and their parents," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Our most critical responsibility was to ensure that the students did not lose a year of their academic lives. Conducting the examinations promptly was essential. The government mobilised all its resources to organise the exam for 22 lakh students in the shortest possible time, and the results were declared just five or six days ago."
He added:
"However, we are not the kind of people to simply rest on our laurels. That is why I asked the relevant departments today to establish a fast-track court. This recommendation for a fast-track court will be discussed in the Cabinet tomorrow. It will be finalised after incorporating suggestions from Cabinet colleagues, and we will endeavour to have it passed in Parliament during the upcoming week."
Reactions and Next Steps
The establishment of designated courts under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act aims to handle day-to-day hearings for paper leak offences across various state jurisdictions. Meanwhile, student bodies and Opposition parties continue to monitor cabinet developments while pressing their demands regarding exam governance and administrative oversight.
