The Bangladesh Parliament has introduced the Public Examinations Offenses Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes up to five years of imprisonment and fines for digital manipulation or unauthorized access to examination databases. The bill, presented by Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon on Sunday, also covers the use of electronic devices in exam centers and other examination-related crimes. The parliamentary committee has been asked to submit its report within three working days.

According to the bill’s explanatory statement, the existing Public Examinations (Offenses) Act of 1980 is outdated due to the rise of technology and digital crimes. The amendment aims to modernize the legal framework to address online and cyber-based examination offenses, ensuring a fair and malpractice-free testing environment. It introduces the definition of “digital manipulation,” encompassing cybercrimes involving unauthorized access or tampering with exam data.

The government stated that the amendment is essential to safeguard the transparency and credibility of public examinations in the digital era, addressing emerging challenges posed by technology-driven misconduct.