Anti-paper leakage law comes into force amid NEET and UGC-NET rows

New Delhi: The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations and common entrance tests held across the country, came into force on Friday.

This comes amid a massive row over alleged malpractices in the conduct of NEET and UGC NET exams.

A gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions stated: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations Act, 2024 ( prevention of unfair means) (1 of 2024). ), the Central Government fixes June 21, 2024 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.”

The bill was passed by both houses of Parliament during the budget session which ended on February 10. It aims to prevent the use of “unfair means” in public examinations and to provide “more transparency, fairness and credibility”.

On February 13, President Droupadi Murmu gave the green light to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024, which aims to check cheating in government recruitment exams.

Statutory public examinations refer to examinations conducted by authorities notified by the central government. These include Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, National Testing Agency, Institute of Staff Selection banking and central government departments and their attached offices for recruitment.

The law also prohibits the premature disclosure of confidential examination-related information and the entry of unauthorized persons into examination centers to create disruptions. The offenses will be punishable with imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

All offenses under the Bill will be cognizable, non-bailable and non-prosecutable.

The NEET-UG 2024 exam was conducted on May 5 and its results were announced on June 4, ahead of the scheduled announcement date of June 14.

The NEET-UG exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), paves the way for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

On June 13, the NTA informed the Supreme Court that the mark sheets of 1,563 candidates who secured ‘grace marks’ in the NEET-UG 2024 exam would be canceled and such candidates would be given an opportunity to appear again for the exam on June 23. whose results will be declared before June 30, or waive the compensatory marks awarded for loss of time. (ANI)

Also Read: NEET-UG row: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announces formation of panel to probe NTA issues (sentinelassam.com)