India seeks 10-year terms after exam leak protests topple minister
What's new: The Supreme Court ordered release of detained protesters under 18 with no prior criminal record.
India's government moved to stiffen penalties for exam paper leaks after weeks of student-led protests over irregularities in major tests, including the NEET medical entrance exam. A bill submitted to parliament would double the maximum prison term to 10 years, raise fines above US$1 million and fast-track court cases. The push came after the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and amid opposition accusations that authorities failed to enforce the existing law. The Supreme Court on Tuesday also ordered the release of detained protesters who are under 18 and have no prior criminal record. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also set up a task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to overhaul the National Testing Agency.