The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, seeks to prohibit fraud and cheating in competitive admission exams and government employment exams.
New Delhi: The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, which attempts to combat cheating and fraud in government recruitment exams and competitive entrance tests, was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The law addresses entrance exams like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), as well as exams administered by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Legitimate candidates and students, as specified in the bill, are released from all legal action resulting from its requirements.
Jitendra Singh, the minister of state for personnel and training, introduced the measure in the lower house, stating that its goal was to safeguard the rights of worthy applicants and students. “This transcends politics and concerns that affect this nation’s daughters and sons, which we should all share. Since we haven’t read the bill in its entirety, there aren’t many questions. I want to make it clear right away that neither the candidates nor the students are covered by this law. “Those who engage in unethical practices and negatively affect the public examination system for wrongful gains are the target audience for this bill,” he stated.
The law is being introduced against the backdrop of multiple instances of irregularities and malpractices in public exams, including impersonation, paper leaks, the employment of solver gangs, and hacking of digital platforms. These irregularities and malpractices have damaged the exam system’s reputation and fairness and made life difficult for sincere candidates. By establishing a legal framework to prevent, identify, and punish such offenses, the bill aims to solve these issues.
What are the key features of the bill pass by the lok sabha?
Any act or omission that provides an unfair advantage to an individual or group of individuals in a public exam or interferes with the administration of said exam is defined as unfair methods. Copying, cheating, impersonating, using unapproved materials or equipment, tampering with test papers or answer sheets, leaking or gaining personal information, hacking or disrupting digital platforms, and encouraging or plotting with others to conduct such activities are all included under this category.
Depending on the type and seriousness of the offense, it stipulates fines of up to Rs 1 crore and terms of imprisonment ranging from six months to ten years for various categories of offenses. Repeat offenders and those who violate exam policies pertaining to national security, the armed forces, or the civil service face harsher punishments.
The central government and its agencies are authorized to designate examiners, invigilators, observers, supervisors, and other staff members for the purpose of conducting public examinations. Additionally, they are empowered to provide directives and guidelines to guarantee the security and integrity of these exams.
The National Technical Committee on Public Examinations is to be established, and it will be in charge of creating guidelines and standards regarding the use of technology in public exams. These include making sure that cyber security, electronic surveillance, reliable IT systems, and service levels for both IT and physical infrastructure are all met.
In order to expedite the trial of offenses covered by the bill, it also establishes special courts and names special public prosecutors to prosecute certain offenses.
How will the bill benefit the students and candidates?
The measure is anticipated to increase the public examination system’s transparency, impartiality, and integrity while giving applicants and students confidence that their talent and hard work would be officially acknowledged and rewarded. Additionally, the bill will dissuade antisocial and criminal groups that take advantage of exam system flaws and weaknesses to undermine the future of the country and its kids.
The bill aligns with the numerous measures implemented by the government to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of the examination system. These measures include the implementation of self-attestation, the shortening of the exam cycle, the elimination of interviews for lower-level positions, the use of computer-based testing, and the issuance of digital appointment letters under the “Rojgar Mela” program.