Amid the uproar over allegations of rigging in NEET across the country and the postponement of NET UGC, the central government has implemented the Anti-paper leak law. Amid the examination controversy, the central government notified the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024 on Friday. The purpose of implementing this law is to curb malpractice and irregularities in competitive examinations.
10 Years Imprisonment, Fine Up To Rs 1 Crore
Under this Act, there is a provision for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs one crore for the offenders. This Act also prohibits disclosing confidential information about the examination before time and unauthorized persons entering the examination centres and causing a disturbance. Under the law, there is also a mention of three to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh for these crimes. All offences under the bill will be cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.
Provisions Of The Law Come Into Force From June 21
President Droupadi Murmu approved the Act about four months ago, after which the Personnel Ministry notified us on Friday night, stating that the law’s provisions will come into force on June 21. The notification said, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024, the Central Government at this moment enacts the said Act with effect from June 21, 2024.”
This Move Is Important Amid The Ongoing Controversy
This move is important amid the ongoing controversy over the leak of question papers for the UGC-NET 2024 examination. A case was registered on Thursday to investigate the leak of the question papers for NEET, an exam conducted by the NTA. Opposition parties have also alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG.
Notice Of Release Of Rules In Gazette Notification
This has come to light amid a massive controversy over rigging in NEET and UGC NET examinations. The issuance of this rule has been informed in a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. The notification said, exercising the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examination Act 2024 (1 of 2024), the Central Government at this moment appoints the 21st day of June 2024 as the date on which the provisions of this Act shall come into force.
When Was This Bill Passed
Both Houses of Parliament passed this bill in the budget session that ended on February 10. It aims to prevent using “unfair means” in public examinations and bring “more transparency, fairness and credibility.”
On February 13, President Droupadi Murmu approved the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 to check cheating in government recruitment examinations.
These Recruitment Exams Come Under This Law
Under the Act, public examinations are conducted by authorities notified by the central government. These include the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, National Testing Agency, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, and Central Government departments and their attached recruitment offices.
