6 February 2024
The Narendra Modi government has introduced a bill aimed at tackling cheating and unfair practices in public examinations. Titled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, the legislation seeks to enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility within examination systems, targeting various forms of malpractice, including question paper leaks and collusion.
The bill outlines specific offenses related to public examinations, encompassing actions such as unauthorized possession of examination materials, tampering with answer sheets, and manipulation of examination processes. It covers a wide range of examinations conducted by prominent bodies such as Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), and Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB), among others.
To deter individuals and entities from engaging in unfair means, the bill proposes stringent punishments including imprisonment ranging from three to ten years and fines up to one crore rupees. Additionally, service providers facilitating malpractices may face fines and restrictions on their involvement in examination conduct.
The legislation emphasizes the seriousness of organized crime related to examination malpractices, prescribing severe penalties including imprisonment for a minimum of five years and fines starting from one crore rupees. The bill aims to uphold the integrity of public examinations and ensure that sincere efforts of candidates are duly rewarded, safeguarding the prospects of youth.
