Parliament on Tuesday passed “The Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Act, 2026,” introducing a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine for offences including digital fraud, unauthorised database access, organised examination crimes, and entering centres with prohibited electronic devices.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon moved the bill in the House on Tuesday, which was subsequently passed by voice vote.
The amended legislation updates “The Public Examinations (Offences) Act, 1980,” modernising a law enacted nearly 45 years ago to tackle contemporary technology-based crimes that the original Act could not fully address.
Addressing modern cybercrimes
Under the new law, any individual involved in hacking, unauthorised access to examination databases, altering information, or manipulating records will face a maximum of five years’ imprisonment and a fine.
The Act also introduces a new category of offence termed “Organised Examination Crime.” This applies to those who enter into written or verbal contracts, or make proposals to assist candidates in adopting unfair means, as well as those attempting to create opportunities for mass cheating.
Entering an examination centre with prohibited electronic devices without the permission of the authorities is now a punishable offence, as is the intentional violation of government directives regarding examinations, which also carries a potential five-year prison sentence and a fine.
Accountability and legal procedures
To ensure the integrity of the process, the legislation holds both examiners and institutions accountable. Examiners found to have intentionally awarded excessive or insufficient marks may face up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine, though such discrepancies must be confirmed by a third examiner before any penalty is imposed.
Institutions or service providers found colluding in or assisting with examination-related crimes may face fines, suspension of licences, or blacklisting.
The Act also includes provisions for the protection of whistleblowers, ensuring their identities remain confidential and shielding them from retaliatory measures, with penalties for those who violate these protections.
Regarding legal proceedings, the Act specifies that any child involved in an offence will be tried in accordance with the Children Act, 2013.
Offences have been declared cognisable to ensure rapid disposal of cases, with trials conducted by a Metropolitan Magistrate in metropolitan areas and a Senior Judicial Magistrate elsewhere through summary trial methods.
The statement of objects for the bill noted that the amendment became essential due to the rise of cybercrimes and the use of digital platforms to manipulate examination data, with the primary goal being to ensure transparency and a cheating-free environment in all public examinations.
