A bill has been tabled in the Parliament to punish digital tampering in public examinations, unauthorized access to examination databases, entry into examination centers with electronic devices and organized examination offences. On Sunday (June 28), the Public Examinations Offenses Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced by Education Minister ANM Ehchanul Haque Milon in the National Parliament.
Earlier, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain moved the Bangladesh Medical University Second Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament to empower Bangladesh Medical University to form profit-based or non-profit-based companies, acquire, hold and transfer company shares.
The Medical University Bill has been referred to a special committee for further examination with a condition to report within three sitting days. And the Public Examination Offenses Amendment Bill has been sent to the Standing Committee on Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to report within three working days.
Objection to copy of bill
During the presentation of the Bangladesh Medical University Bill, Najibur Rahman, a member of the opposition party, raised objections about getting a copy of the bill, the three-day notice requirement and sending the bill to a special committee.
He said, according to the rules, there is an obligation to give the copy of the bill three days in advance. If that obligation is denied, it should be reported to Parliament.
He also said that this is an exceptional measure. In this case, if it is made a rule, then the spirit of this rule 77 is being violated.
Najibur Rahman said the Speaker’s previous ruling was to provide a comparative table of the previous law with the bill, so that members of parliament could quickly understand the changes. But such tables are not available for recent bills.
He also objected to the medical university bill being sent to a special committee.
He said, we have a committee related to law and justice. Is this bill an exception to the fact that it must be referred to a special committee?
In response, Deputy Speaker Qaiser Kamal said that all the prerequisites have been fulfilled for this bill. Notice given on 15 June 2026 and bill sent on 23 June.
He said, according to the records we have, the notices were given three days before and copies were given.
It is said from the opposition party that their MPs have not received the copy of the bill. In response, the Deputy Speaker said, as per the record, the bill has been tabled. Such issues will be considered in future.
What is Digital Manipulation in Exams?
A definition of ‘digital manipulation’ is being added to the Public Examinations Crimes Amendment Bill.
According to the proposed definition, unauthorized access to, hacking, alteration, modification, deletion or concealment of public examination databases would fall under digital tampering.
Under the new Section 5A, digital tampering is punishable with imprisonment for a maximum of five years and fine.
The statement containing the purpose and reasons of the bill said that the Act of 1980 was enacted almost 45 years ago to prevent cheating, cheating, fake certificates and irregularities in public examinations. Currently, with the widespread use of technology and increasing crime related to examination in digital mode, the existing laws need to be updated.
Penalty for entering with electronic devices
The bill provides for penalties for entering or attempting to enter examination centers with prohibited electronic devices and for disobeying valid instructions regarding the conduct of examinations.
Under the proposed new Section 3A, entering or attempting to enter an examination center or examination hall with a prohibited electronic device without permission can be punished with imprisonment of up to five years and a fine.
Disobedience of the valid instructions, rules or instructions of the examination authority is subject to the same penalty.
Online platform for question papers
Adding ‘online platforms’ to clauses relating to publication, distribution or dissemination of questions in the existing law.
The bill states that anyone who keeps, publishes or distributes the question paper or related material through any means, including online platforms, will be punished.
However, there is a proposal to reduce the punishment period to a maximum of five years in some sections of the existing law. It has been proposed to amend the relevant section to five years, where earlier the punishment was 10 years or seven years.
Organized crime is also covered by the Act
The bill proposes to add a new section called Organized Examination Offenses.
According to this section, it shall be an offense for any candidate to enter into any written or oral contract, understanding or arrangement with the candidate or any other person on his behalf for the purpose of assisting the candidate in unfair use. Such offense is punishable with imprisonment for a maximum of five years and fine.
The Bill also lays down the liability of the institutions and service providers involved in conducting the examination. Institutions or service providers will face fines if crimes are committed due to their aiding, abetting or willful actions.
Provisions are also made for their debarment, license suspension or blacklisting as necessary.
Penalty of 2 years for irregularity in account assessment
The bill also proposes to include overvaluation or undervaluation of answer sheets as an offence.
According to the new Section 10A, deliberate over- or under-marking of public examination answer sheets is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years, fine or both. But no person shall be convicted under this section unless overvaluation or undervaluation is determined by a third examiner.
Protection of children and informants
The bill contains special provisions for children. Any child in conflict with any provision of this Act shall be treated in accordance with the Children Act, 2013.
Whistleblower protection provisions are also in place. The identity of the informant may not be disclosed if credible information is provided about the crime related to the test. He will also be protected from legal liability and retaliatory measures. Violation of this protection is punishable by imprisonment for a maximum of six months, fine or both.
Crime is cognizable, trial is summary
According to the bill, offenses under this Act will be cognizable.
No court other than a Metropolitan Magistrate in a metropolitan area and a Senior Judicial Magistrate or a Magistrate of the first class outside a metropolitan area shall try an offense under this Act.
Offenses under this Act shall be disposed of by summary trial on summons in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. There is also a proposal to empower the government to make rules to fulfill the objectives of the Act.
Power to incorporate medical universities into companies
Bangladesh Medical University Second Amendment Bill, 2026 states the purpose and reasons of the statement, it is necessary to make provisions for the formation of profit-based or non-profit-based companies or organizations to increase the scope of medical services, medical education and research of the university.
The bill proposes to empower universities to form for-profit or not-for-profit companies under the Companies Act, 1994, with a view to expanding the scope of medical services in addition to educational programmes.
The University may also form organizations under any other law for carrying out charitable programmes. The income from such activities can be spent for the University’s own needs. There is also a proposal to empower the university to acquire, hold and transfer shares in any company.
Power is also being added to make bye-laws to prescribe the procedure and conditions relating to formation of companies, acquisition, holding and transfer of shares, nomination of representatives to the board of directors.
Rationale for opening super specialized hospitals
According to the statement of the bill, ‘Bangladesh Medical University Super Specialized Hospital’ has been established under Bangladesh Medical University.
Although the construction of the hospital was completed, it could not be fully operational due to non-appointment of supporting staff including doctors and lack of clear management system.
The statement said that the University Syndicate meeting decided to operate the hospital under the Companies Act, 1994 as clear management procedures and recruitment of manpower were required for the purpose of running the hospital.
The bill also said that specialized hospitals of international standards would enrich the teaching, research and higher medical training programs of the university. Opportunities for contractual involvement of domestic and foreign expert doctors, teachers and researchers will also be created. Income from such activities can be reinvested in treatment, education and research.
