A person who’s involved in leaking exam papers or encouraging cheating could end up with a jail term and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore. These are the provisions under a bill that cleared the Lok Sabha on February 6.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 is aimed at preventing paper leaks of recruitment exams and taking strict action against those who have a role to play in the leak.
These will cover key exams conducted to recruit officers through Civil Service Exams, jobs in the Railways, public sector banks, Staff Selection Commission among others. It also includes exams conducted by the NTA National Testing Agency which holds JEE, NEET, UGC-NET, CUET exams.
From Rajasthan to Bihar, and Telangana to West Bengal, paper leaks have not just been a law and order problem but have derailed the careers of many aspirants. The Indian Express has reported that over the last five years, there have been 41 paper leaks that have directly impacted 1.4 crore job aspirants in India.
“Will not allow meritorious students to be sacrificed at the altar of organised crime,” said Minister Jitendra Singh, while speaking on the provisions of the Bill.
The government has said students and job aspirants will not be impacted by the provisions of the proposed law.
Malpractices as defined in the Bill carry a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore.