In a bid to crackdown on the illicit practice of leaking exam question papers, the government has put forth a new bill aimed at punishing those responsible for such actions. The bill, titled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, seeks to target individuals who engage in the unauthorized dissemination of exam papers, including those for school exams, college entrance tests, and government job applications.
Under the proposed legislation, individuals found guilty of leaking exam papers or tampering with answer sheets in collusion with government officials could face severe penalties, including up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines of ₹1 crore. Notably, all offenses under the bill will be cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, granting police the authority to take action without a warrant, denying bail to the accused, and preventing settlements through compromise.
Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of exams, stating that unfair advantages undermine the purpose of assessing candidates’ true knowledge and capabilities. He underscored the necessity of cultivating capable citizens for the nation’s future development, highlighting the need for stringent measures to prevent cheating in competitive exams.
The bill also extends its scope to encompass government employees and third-party agencies, including digital platforms hosting competitive exams, found culpable of leaking question papers. Furthermore, a provision is included to establish a high-level technical committee tasked with recommending measures to enhance the security of the examination process, particularly as exams increasingly transition to digital platforms.
Key provisions of the bill mandate a minimum three-year jail term for individuals or groups found guilty of leaking exam papers or tampering with answer sheets, with the possibility of extension to five years accompanied by fines of up to ₹10 lakh. Additionally, service providers failing to report potential offenses may face fines of up to ₹1 crore, while senior managers of such firms could be subjected to imprisonment of up to 10 years and/or similar fines.
Moreover, the bill addresses organized crime related to paper leaks, imposing jail terms ranging from five to 10 years and fines of up to ₹1 crore on those found guilty. Notably, exams conducted by various authorities, including the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Boards, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, and National Testing Agency, will fall under the purview of the anti-cheating bill.
The proposed legislation reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring fairness and integrity in the examination process, aiming to deter illicit practices and uphold the credibility of academic and job assessments nationwide. As the bill progresses through Parliament and awaits the President’s assent, it represents a significant step towards safeguarding the sanctity of examinations and promoting merit-based selection criteria for educational and professional pursuits.
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