Anti-paper leak law enacted amid NEET and UGC-NET 2024 controversy

In February, the central government introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. It aimed to prevent cheating in national exams like NEET and UGC NET. This law proposes severe penalties to deter bad practices. This is to ensure the integrity of public examinations.

Highlights

• Objective: Prevent paper leaks and cheating during public exams.

• Punishment: Up to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rs 1 crore.

• Background: The law comes amid controversies over NEET and UGC NET exams.

Details of the anti-paper leak law

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was notified on June 21, 2024. This Act deals with cheating in public examinations and common entrance tests. It introduces strict measures to combat bad practices.

Punishments

• General cheating: 3 to 5 years of imprisonment.

• Organized cheating: 5 to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of at least Rs 1 crore.

If a person or group commits organized cheating, they face harsher penalties. This includes examination authorities, service providers or any institutions involved.

Confiscation of property

• The law authorizes the government to seize and confiscate the assets of any institution involved in organized paper leaks.

• Examination fees can also be recovered from the offending institution.

Protection of candidates

• Candidates appearing for the examinations are protected under this law.

• They will be governed by the existing unfair means policy of the examining authority.

Definition of unfair means

• Leak of questionnaires or answers.

• Helping candidates through unauthorized communications.

• Tampering with networks or computer resources.

• Impersonating candidates.

• Organize fake exams or issue false documents.

• Falsification of merit lists or rankings.

Investigation and enforcement

• Violations of this law are not bailable.

• Officers below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police cannot investigate these offences.

• The central government may entrust any investigation to a central agency.

Exams covered

The Act applies to examinations conducted by:

1. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

2. Staff Selection Commission (CSE)

3. Railway Recruitment Boards

4. Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)

5. National Testing Agency (NTA)

6. Other authorities notified by the central government

Background and necessity of the law

The law was proposed due to numerous issues related to paper leakage and unfair practices in public examinations. Thousands of aspirants have faced disruptions that have affected their lives and careers.

Objectives of the anti-paper leak law

1. 1. Introduce strict penalties to deter cheating.
   2. Provide a model for states to prevent and punish cheating.
   3. Close gaps in existing laws regarding poor practices related to public examinations.

Scope

Targets individuals, organized groups or institutions involved in unfair practices.

Aims to protect the integrity of the public examination system.

Unfair means

• • Leaked question papers or answer keys.
  • Helping candidates during exams in an unauthorized manner.
  • Tampering with computer systems.
  • Impersonating candidates.
  • Carry out or issue false examinations/documents.
  • Falsification of documents for merit lists or rankings.

Provisions

• • The offenses are cognizable, cannot give rise to bail and cannot be cumulated.
  • The police can act without a warrant.
  • Accused individuals cannot obtain bail.
  • Infringements cannot be resolved by compromise.

Exemptions

Individuals can avoid liability if they prove they unknowingly committed the offense and exercise reasonable care to prevent it.

Punishments

• • Unjust means: 3 to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh.
  • Organized crime: 5 to 10 years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹1 crore.

The law authorizes agencies to seize and abandon property of institutions involved in organized crime. It also allows for the recovery of examination fees.

Enforcement

• • Officers with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police will investigate complaints.
  • The central government has the power to hand over investigations to central agencies.

Importance of the anti-paper leak law

The anti-paper leak law aims to restore the integrity of public examinations. By introducing severe sanctions, it aims to deter cheating and bad practices. This Act is a crucial step towards ensuring fair and transparent examination processes across India.

Implementation and impact

The law was passed by Parliament in February 2024. It was necessary due to repeated incidents of paper leaks and cheating scandals. It fills gaps in existing laws. The Anti-Paper Leakage Act also provides a strong framework to combat such offenses.

Severe penalties and asset forfeiture provisions act as a powerful deterrent against cheating. By protecting examinees and holding institutions accountable, the law aims to create a more equitable testing environment.

Conclusion

The Anti-Paper Leak Law is a comprehensive piece of legislation. It aims to combat cheating in public exams. It introduces severe sanctions and strict coercive measures. This is to ensure the integrity of exams like NEET, UGC NET and others.

It will address key issues of paper leaks and organized cheating. This law aims to protect the aspirations and futures of countless students. With the anti-paper leak law in place, the government aims to ensure the sanctity of public examinations. This will provide the same level playing field for each candidate.

Key takeaways

1. 1. The anti-paper leak law aims to combat exam cheating.
   2. The harsh penalties include up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to Rs 1 crore.
   3. The Act covers examinations conducted by UPSC, SSC, NTA and other central authorities.
   4. Offenses are non-bailable and non-prosecutable and carry strict enforcement measures.

By addressing these key points, the Anti-Paper Leak Act seeks to create a fair examination environment. This will ensure the merit and integrity of the evaluation process.

FOR MORE COLLEGE UPDATES, FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

Also read Shocking protests on yoga day at DU: Students clash with Education Minister!