The government has proposed a new law to crack down on examination malpractices and has introduced a new Bill in the Lok Sabha.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, presented by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, aims to eradicate malpractices and irregularities in competitive exams, with provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.
This move comes in the wake of several competitive exam cancellations due to question paper leaks, such as the teacher recruitment exam in Rajasthan, Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-D posts in Haryana, and others.
The Bill aims to enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examination systems, ensuring that genuine efforts of students are duly rewarded and their future remains secure.
Key objectives of the Bill include combating organized gangs and mafia elements involved in malpractices, constitution of a high-level national technical committee on public examinations, and implementing protocols to secure computerized examination processes.
The Bill also aims to deter impersonation methods and paper leaks by imposing stringent measures against nefarious elements.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed concerns about irregularities in examinations during the Budget session, highlighting the government’s decision to enact this new law to address such malpractices.
