Bangladesh approves five years in jail for digital manipulation in public exams

The amendments broaden offences to cover hacking, online question leaks and unauthorised electronic devices at exam centres

Parliament has passed a bill introducing up to five years' imprisonment for digital manipulation of public examinations, unauthorised access to examination databases and bringing prohibited electronic devices into exam centres.

The Public Examinations Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed on Tuesday after Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon moved it.

Lawmakers rejected proposals to send the bill for public scrutiny or committee review before approving it by voice vote.

The bill defines “digital manipulation” to include unauthorised access to public examination databases, hacking, altering, modifying, deleting or concealing data.

Those convicted of such offences face up to five years in prison and a fine.

The amendments also reduce the maximum penalties under several existing provisions from 10 or seven years to five years' imprisonment.

The bill introduces penalties for entering, or attempting to enter, examination centres with prohibited electronic devices without permission.

Violating lawful instructions, rules or directives issued by examination authorities will also carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine.

Existing provisions on publishing, distributing or circulating examination questions have been expanded to include online platforms.

Anyone found possessing, publishing or distributing question papers or related materials by any means, including online, will face prosecution.

The maximum punishment for leaking question papers by any method has also been reduced to five years from 10 years under the existing law.

The bill additionally introduces a new offence categorised as "organised examination offences."