Authorities take tough stand after NEET-2024 Q-paper leak, UGC-NET row

New Delhi: In a significant step to curb paper leaks and cheating in public examinations, the Central Government has introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means)  Act, 2024.

This law comes into force amid a major controversy surrounding the recent National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-2024 and UGC-NET exams, which were marred by allegations of paper leaks and irregularities. The new law cracks down paper leak with Rs. 1 crore fine and 10-year jail term.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, effective from June 21, establishes stiff penalties for those involved in exam irregularities. It aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railways, Banking recruitment examinations and the National Testing Agency (NTA) to name a few, among others.

Under the Act, individuals caught leaking exam papers or tampering with answer sheets will undergo minimum of three-year jail term, extendable to five years, besides facing fine up to Rs. 10 lakh. Notably, all offences under the Act are classified as cognisable and non-bailable, that gives a teeth to the authorities to arrest individuals without a warrant.

The law takes a tough stand on organised cheating, especially the senior officials within service providers who knowingly participate in or facilitate such activities, shall be facing a minimum three-year jail, extending to 10 years with Rs. 1 crore fine.

Examination authorities or service providers involved in organised exam malpractice can be imprisoned for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10, with the same Rs. 1 crore fine.

Examination service providers, though aware of the offence but fail to report it can be fined a hefty Rs. 1 crore. The Act offers some protection to individuals who can demonstrably prove that the offence was committed without their knowledge and that they tried their best to prevent it.

The new law follows the irregularities in NEET, held on May 5 written by about 24 lakh candidates, following the question paper leak in Bihar. Additionally, the UGC-NET was cancelled entirely due to suspicions that the integrity of the exam was compromised.

Following this, the NTA on Friday announced the postponement of the June edition of the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET, citing unavoidable circumstances and logistic issues. This test determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF), Assistant Professorships and Ph.D admissions in Science courses.