Crackdown on Cheating: India Proposes 10-Year Jail Term, Rs 1 Crore Fine for Exam Paper Leaks
The integrity of examinations, whether for school, college entrance, or government jobs, stands compromised by the shadow of cheating and paper leaks. The acclaimed film '12th Fail' aptly captures the repercussions felt even by earnest students in such a system. In a significant move, the Centre has now tabled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, in Parliament, aimed at tackling the scourge of exam paper leaks and other malpractices plaguing states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh.
Key Provisions of the Draft Bill: The proposed bill entails stringent measures to combat exam malpractice:
- Imprisonment: Minimum three to five years of imprisonment, with extended sentences of 5-10 years for organized crimes related to exam paper leaks.
- Monetary Penalties: Fines up to Rs 1 crore for individuals involved in malpractice and service provider firms, along with the recovery of examination costs. Additionally, firms will face a four-year ban on conducting public examinations.
- Scope: The bill covers all recruitment and entrance exams, including UPSC, SSC, Railways, banking exams, CUET, NEET, and JEE, along with computer-based exams by NTA.
Objective of the Bill: The bill, spearheaded by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, aims to:
- Enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examinations.
- Safeguard the efforts of sincere aspirants and reassure them of fair rewards and secure futures.
Rationale Behind the Bill: The need for such legislation arises from:
- Electoral Concerns: Instances of exam paper leaks, notably in Rajasthan, have emerged as significant electoral issues, prompting state governments to enact stricter laws.
- State Initiatives: States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and UP have already introduced laws with harsher penalties to combat exam malpractice.
- National Imperative: The absence of a comprehensive national law to address exam malpractice necessitates centralized legislation to deter criminal elements from jeopardizing the aspirations of millions of youths.