Amid controversies surrounding the NEET and UGC-NET exams, the Centre has enacted a stringent law to combat paper leaks and cheating. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was passed in February, has now been officially notified.
The notification comes just a day after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was queried about the law’s implementation. Pradhan had mentioned that the law ministry was in the process of framing the rules.
Effective from Friday, the Act imposes a minimum jail term of three years for anyone found guilty of leaking exam papers or tampering with answer sheets. This term can be extended to five years, accompanied by a fine of up to ₹10 lakh. All offences under this Act are cognisable and non-bailable.
Examination service providers aware of potential offences but failing to report them can face fines up to ₹1 crore. Additionally, if it is found that a senior official of the service provider was complicit, they can be imprisoned for a minimum of three years, extendable to 10 years, and fined ₹1 crore. Organised crimes by examination authorities or service providers will attract a jail term ranging from five to 10 years and a fine of ₹1 crore.
The notification references the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita but states that provisions of the Indian Penal Code will remain in effect until the Sanhita and other new criminal laws come into force on July 1.
This development follows significant incidents during recent exams. Nearly 24 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG 2024 on May 5, with results announced on June 4, ten days ahead of schedule. However, allegations of a question paper leak and the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 students led to protests and legal challenges, including in the Supreme Court, which criticised the National Testing Agency (NTA).
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Additionally, on Wednesday, the Education Ministry cancelled the UGC-NET exam just a day after it was conducted. Over 9 lakh candidates had appeared for this exam, intended for Assistant Professor posts and junior research fellowships. At a press conference on Thursday, Education Minister Pradhan stated that the UGC chairman received information from the home ministry’s cybercrime team about exam questions being available on the darknet.
While Pradhan described the NEET-UG paper leak and similar incidents as isolated, he accepted moral responsibility for these issues.
The opposition, buoyed by its improved performance in the Lok Sabha polls, has criticised the government over these exam controversies and is expected to raise the issue in Parliament when the session commences on Monday.
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