After the uproar across the country over the paper leak in NEET and UGC-NET exams, the government has taken a big step to prevent such incidents of paper leak in future. The central government has implemented a strict law from Friday. Under this, a provision of minimum 3 to 5 years of punishment has been made to prevent cheating in the examination. While there is a provision that those who leak the paper will be sentenced to 5 to 10 years and a fine of at least Rs 1 crore. Parliament passed the Public Examination Act 2024 in the month of February.
If any organised crime is committed by the examination conducting body, service provider or any other body, they will be punished with imprisonment of at least 5 years, which can be extended to 10 years. A fine of Rs 1 crore can also be imposed. The aim of the Act is to prevent unfair practices in public examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railways, Banking Recruitment Examinations and National Testing Agency (NTA).
The law also provides for confiscation of property
The law states that this fine should not be less than Rs 1 crore. The Act also provides for confiscation of property of any institution found involved in organised paper-splitting and the examination expenses can also be recovered from the institution. However, the Act protects candidates appearing in the examination from punitive provisions. Any candidate caught using the wrong route during the examination will be prosecuted as per the provisions of the examination conducting body.
‘Unfair means’, including leaking of examination papers or answers, assisting candidates during the examination through unauthorised communications, tampering with computer networks or other equipment, appointing proxy candidates (setting up dummy candidates), are prohibited by law.
