India lower house passes bill raising penalties for exam leaks

India's lower house of parliament approved a bill on Wednesday that would toughen penalties for leaking exam papers, after youth-led protests calling for sweeping reforms forced the education minister to resign.

The legislation would double the maximum jail term for those involved in leaking exam papers to 10 years, and raises the maximum fine to more than $1 million. Lawmakers approved the bill by a voice vote after hours-long debate, according to India's public broadcaster. It will next be put to a vote in the upper house, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling alliance holds a majority.