Amid controversy over leaked documents, Center brings into force strict law to tackle irregularities in exams

New Delhi: The Center on Friday implemented a strict law that aims to tackle malpractices and irregularities in competitive exams and has provisions for imprisonment of up to 10 years and fine of up to 1 crore of rupees for violators.

Nearly four months after President Droupadi Murmu gave his approval to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, the Personnel Ministry on Friday evening issued a notification saying the provisions of the Act would come into force from June 21.

The move assumes significance amid a raging row over the UGC-NET, 2024, exam question paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday registered a case to probe the leaked question paper of the examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Opposition parties also alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, the results of which were announced by the NTA on June 4.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, the Central Government hereby appoints 21st June, 2024, as the date upon which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” the notification reads.

The notification of the law comes just a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was asked when the legislation would be implemented. The minister had said that the Ministry of Justice was in the process of drawing up the rules.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on February 9. The Lok Sabha passed it on February 6. President Murmu approved the bill on February 12, turning it into law.

The Act aims to prevent unfair practices in public examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railways, Sector Recruitment Examinations banking and the National Testing Agency (NTA), among others.

It has provisions for a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment to combat cheating and those involved in organized crimes of cheating will be punished with five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore .

Prior to this legislation, there was no specific substantive law to deal with unfair means adopted or offenses committed by various entities involved in the conduct of public examinations by the central government and its agencies.

The law aims to prevent organized gangs and institutions that are involved in unfair means to obtain monetary gains and protects candidates from its provisions, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh had said.