Jail term up to 5 years, fine of 1 crore: Anti-paper leak law comes into effect for punishing organized cheating in govt. exams
In response to the issues plaguing the NEET and UGC-NET exams, the Indian government has enacted new legislation to prevent paper leaks and cheating. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, came into force on June 21, 2024. This anti-paper leak law introduces severe penalties for those involved in examination malpractices.
A gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions stated: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the central government hereby appoints the 21st day of June 2024, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.”
Key Provisions of the Anti-paper Leak Law
- Minimum Jail Term: Three years, extendable to five years.
- Fines: Up to ₹10 lakh for individuals involved in leaking papers or tampering with answer sheets.
- Examination Service Providers:
- Failure to report possible offences can result in fines up to ₹1 crore.
- Senior officials involved in malpractices could face imprisonment from three to ten years and a fine of ₹1 crore.
- Organized Crime: A minimum jail term of five years, up to ten years, and a fine of ₹1 crore for examination authorities or service providers involved in organized crime.
The Act also includes provisions from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, maintaining the applicability of the Indian Penal Code until its implementation.
Background and Context
The NEET-UG 2024 exam, with nearly 24 lakh participants, faced allegations of question paper leaks and grace marks being awarded to over 1,500 students. These allegations, along with the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam due to similar reports, spurred the enactment of this anti-paper leak law. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged the moral responsibility of the government in addressing these isolated incidents of malpractice.
The opposition has criticized the government’s handling of these issues, and the matter is expected to be a focal point in the upcoming parliamentary session. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aims to restore faith in the examination process by prohibiting unauthorized disclosures and disruptions at exam centers.
Recent Developments
- NEET-UG 2024: Conducted on May 5, results were declared on June 4, ahead of the scheduled announcement date of June 14.
- Supreme Court Involvement: On June 13, the NTA informed the Supreme Court about cancelling the scorecards of 1,563 candidates who received “grace marks.” These candidates can reappear for the exam on June 23, with results to be declared by June 30, or opt to forgo the compensatory marks. The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is crucial for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses across India. The implementation of the anti-paper leak law is expected to bring greater transparency, fairness, and credibility to such vital public examinations.
The introduction of the anti-paper leak law signifies a robust step towards maintaining the integrity of India’s examination system, ensuring that the hard work and future of millions of students are protected against unfair practices.
