Cracking Down On Cheaters: Government Set To Introduce Bill To Check Unfair Practices And Exam Paper Leaks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government is set to introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair means) Bill, 2024, next week in the Parliament.

The legislation aims to establish the country's first-ever national law against unfair means in public examinations, for government job recruitment and admission to central educational institutions.

The bill proposes tough penalties, extending up to 10 years in prison and fine not less than Rs 1 crore, for organised mafias and individual offenders associated with the examination authorities, service provider firms or institutions.

Addressing a joint sitting of the parliament, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday (31 January), stated, "My government is aware of the concerns of youth regarding irregularities in examinations. Therefore, it has been decided to enact a new law to deal sternly with such malpractices."

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As reported by Times of India persons engaged in impersonation of a candidate, paper solving, causing holding of examination at a place other than the examination centre or not reporting an exam fraud (like an invigilator) may attract a jail term of 3-5 years and fine upto Rs 10 lakh.

Also, a service provider engaged in conduct of the computer-based examination, if found guilty, will attract fine up to Rs 1 crore and may be barred from holding the exam for four years.

The proposed bill is also likely to include public servants engaged in paper leaks, who may invite 3-5 years in prison and fine upto Rs 10 lakh.

Public servants working for organised exam mafias will face 5-10 years in prison and invite not less than Rs 1 crore in fine.

Additionally, a high-level national technical committee on public examinations will be established to develop protocols for securing digital platforms.

The committee will formulate national standards for secure IT systems in exams conducted by entities such as UPSC, SSC, RRB, IBPS, JEE, NEET, and CUET.

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