Centre enacts anti-paper leak law; jail term and Rs 1 crore fine.
The move assumes significance amid a raging row over the UGC-NET 2024 exam’s question paper leak. This development has sparked widespread controversy and concern among students, educators, and the general public. The integrity of the examination process is crucial for maintaining the credibility of educational assessments, and the recent leak has undermined this trust. In response, the Centre has introduced stringent measures, including an anti-paper leak law, to address and prevent such incidents. The law mandates severe penalties, including a jail term and a fine of Rs 1 crore, to deter future offenses.
Centre Enacts Strict Law to Prevent Exam Malpractices Amid UGC-NET Row
New Delhi: In a decisive move to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations, the Centre on Friday operationalized a stringent law that includes provisions for a maximum jail term This action comes nearly four months after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
This law aims to ensure the integrity of public examinations by imposing severe penalties on those found guilty of cheating or other unfair practices.
Context and Significance
The implementation of this law assumes particular significance amid a raging controversy over the UGC-NET 2024 exam’s question paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case on Thursday to probe the leak, which has raised serious concerns about the conduct of the exam by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Additionally, opposition parties have alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, the results of which were announced by the NTA on June 4. These allegations have intensified the demand for stricter measures to prevent exam malpractices and ensure fairness in the assessment process.
Provisions of the New Law
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, sets forth stringent penalties for those found guilty of engaging in unfair practices during exams. The law is intended to serve as a strong deterrent against cheating and other forms of malpractice in competitive examinations.
Immediate Impact and Future Steps
The notification of the Act comes just a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was questioned about the implementation timeline of the legislation. The minister had indicated that the law ministry was in the process of framing the necessary rules.
The operationalization of this law is expected to significantly impact the conduct of public examinations in India. By imposing harsh penalties on those found guilty of cheating, the government aims to restore trust in the examination process and ensure that merit and integrity prevail.
Conclusion
The enactment of The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, marks a critical step towards addressing the issue of exam malpractices in India. Amid ongoing investigations into the UGC-NET 2024 question paper leak and allegations surrounding NEET-UG, the new law’s stringent provisions are intended to deter future offenses and uphold the sanctity of public examinations. As the provisions come into force, the focus will be on effective enforcement and monitoring to ensure that the objectives of the Act are achieved.
Centre Enacts Strict Law to Prevent Exam Malpractices Amid UGC-NET Row
New Delhi: In a decisive move to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations, the Centre on Friday operationalized a stringent law that includes provisions for a maximum jail term This action comes nearly four months after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
This law aims to ensure the integrity of public examinations by imposing severe penalties on those found guilty of cheating or other unfair practices.
Legislative Journey
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on February 9, following its approval by the Lok Sabha on February 6. President Murmu gave her approval to the bill on February 12, thus turning it into a law. The Act is designed to prevent unfair means in public examinations conducted by various bodies, including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the railways, banking recruitment examinations, and the National Testing Agency (NTA), among others.
Key Provisions of the Act
The Act contains stringent provisions to address and deter malpractices in public examinations. Offenders can face a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment for cheating. These severe penalties aim to dissuade individuals and organized gangs from engaging in fraudulent activities during examinations.
Before this legislation, there was no specific substantive law to deal with unfair means adopted or offenses committed by various entities involved in conducting public examinations by the central government and its agencies. The new law fills this gap, providing a robust legal framework to address these issues.
Context and Significance
The implementation of this law assumes particular significance amid a raging controversy over the UGC-NET 2024 exam’s question paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case on Thursday to probe the leak, which has raised serious concerns about the conduct of the exam by the NTA.
Additionally, opposition parties have alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, the results of which were announced by the NTA on June 4. These allegations have intensified the demand for stricter measures to prevent exam malpractices and ensure fairness in the assessment process.
Government’s Stand
Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh emphasized that the Act aims to prevent organized gangs and institutions involved in unfair means for monetary gains. It also seeks to protect honest candidates from the negative impacts of such malpractices. Singh highlighted that the Act is a crucial step in ensuring the credibility and integrity of public examinations in India.
Immediate Impact and Future Steps
The notification of the Act comes just a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was questioned about the implementation timeline of the legislation. The minister had indicated that the law ministry was in the process of framing the necessary rules.
The operationalization of this law is expected to significantly impact the conduct of public examinations in India. By imposing harsh penalties on those found guilty of cheating, the government aims to restore trust in the examination process and ensure that merit and integrity prevail.
Conclusion
The enactment of The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, marks a critical step towards addressing the issue of exam malpractices in India. Amid ongoing investigations into the UGC-NET 2024 question paper leak and allegations surrounding NEET-UG, the new law’s stringent provisions are intended to deter future offenses and uphold the sanctity of public examinations. As the provisions come into force, the focus will be on effective enforcement and monitoring to ensure that the objectives of the Act are achieved. This law is expected to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of India’s examination system.