In a departure from traditional parliamentary discourse, Members of Parliament turned to internet slang during a Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. Lawmakers across party lines adopted terms like “clock it,” “FOMO,” and “delulu” while discussing measures intended to curb examination paper leaks following widespread student protests over the NEET examination.
Key Parliamentary References to Gen Z Terms
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“Clock It”: BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj used the phrase to commend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to examination system vulnerabilities. Supporting the legislation, Swaraj remarked, “Modiji clocked it and provided a legislative solution,” framing the amendment as a necessary response to current demands.
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“MIA,” “FOMO,” and “Delulu”: Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde used several slang terms to criticize the Opposition’s response to student demonstrations. Shinde stated that the Opposition was initialy “MIA” (Missing in Action) for 37 days, later staged protests out of “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out), and operated under a “delulu” (delusional) expectation that student protesters would align with them.
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Opposition Delusions: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also relied on “delulu” to dismiss opposition claims of youth support, pointing to past legislative inaction regarding paper leak convictions during the UPA era.
Context of the Bill
The debate centered on proposed amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Introduced following demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and the subsequent resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the updated legislation introduces:
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Strict Penalties: Jail sentences reaching up to 10 years and fines of up to ₹50 lakh for individuals involved in paper leaks.
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Procedural Fast-Tracking: Establishment of Special Fast Track Courts and dedicated prosecutors to handle cases and appeals within set timeframes.
