Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged tougher action to curb exam paper leaks amid nationwide controversy and protests. In a late-night post and video on X on Thursday, he said the central government will take stricter decisions at Friday’s cabinet meeting and outlined steps already taken over the past two-and-a-half months to address exam-related fraud and criminal networks.

Modi said many suspects involved in the crime have been arrested and sent to jail, and the government has prioritized protecting students’ futures. He said about 2.2 million students should be able to receive re-evaluation or re-examination promptly, noting that final results were published on the 19th and successful candidates have been reported nationwide. He added that fast-track courts have been set up to ensure speedy trials.

He said the cabinet will discuss the matter in detail on Friday and final decisions will follow colleagues’ views, and the government will push to rapidly pass a tough legal bill on paper leaks in parliament’s second week starting Monday.