Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024

Aim of Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024: To curb leaks, malpractices as well as organized malpractices in recruitment examinations

• It outlines 15 unfair practices, such as leaking question papers, colluding to leak them, unauthorised possession of materials such as question paper or an Optical Mark Recognition response sheet, providing answers by unauthorised individuals, assisting candidates without authorisation, manipulating exam conditions, conducting fake exams, issuing fraudulent admit cards, and more.

Coverage under Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 :  

• entrance examinations held by the UPSC, 
• Staff Selection Commission, 
• the Railways, 
• banking recruitment examinations and 
• all computer-based examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency.
• It will also cover entrance tests such as NEET, JEE, and CUET.
• Punishment : “All offences under this Act, shall be cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. 

• punishment of a minimum of 3 to 5 years of imprisonment to curb cheating and for those involved in organised crimes of cheating will face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.
• In case of institution found guilty, attachment and forfeiture of property and proportionate cost of examination to be recovered from it.

Investigation and Enforcement: DSP or ACP level investigation.

• Objectives and Need : In the last few years, leaks of question papers and organised cheating had affected the interests of lakhs of student due to cancellation of tests and examinations

• The bill is aimed at preventing organised gangs and institutions that are involved in unfair means for monetary gains, but it protects candidates from its provisions.
• It is aimed to bring greater transparency, fairness and credibility to the public examination systems and to reassure the youth that their sincere and genuine efforts will be fairly rewarded and their future is safe.
• At least 48 instances of paper leaks in 16 states over the last five years, in which the process of hiring for government jobs was disrupted.
• The leaks touched the lives of at least 1.51 crore applicants for about 1.2 lakh posts.

Practice Questions for Prelims

Consider the following statements regarding Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024
1. It aims to curb leaks, malpractices as well as organized malpractices in recruitment examinations.
2. It covers exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission only.
3. It covers only the Government jobs exam and not academic entrance exam.
4. Offenders involved in organised crimes of cheating will face 5 to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four statements

Ans. b)

Mains Practice Question

Discuss the significance and implications of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill on the education system and the broader society. How does this bill address the challenges of ensuring fair conduct and integrity in public examinations?

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