A bill to prevent test paper leaks suggests ten years in prison and a punishment of Rs one crore
A bill aiming to establish the first-ever national law against the use of unfair means in rigging public examinations for government job recruitment and admission to central educational institutions is set to be introduced in Parliament next week. The proposed legislation suggests stringent penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and a fine of no less than Rs 1 crore, for organized mafias and individual offenders associated with examination authorities, service provider firms, or institutions.
President Droupadi Murmu, addressing a joint sitting of Parliament on Wednesday, announced the government’s intention to introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair means) Bill, 2024. She stated, “My government is aware of the concerns of youth regarding irregularities in examinations. Therefore, it has been decided to enact a new law to deal sternly with such malpractices.”
As reported by TOI on Wednesday, the proposed law aims to crack down on individuals, organized mafias, and institutions involved in activities like paper leaks, paper-solving, impersonation, and hacking into computer resources. These activities often occur in collusion with elements within the “system” for monetary or wrongful gains. Bona fide students, whose futures are jeopardized due to undetected leaks, cancellation of exams, and delayed results, will not be held liable.
It has been learned exclusively that individuals engaged in impersonation, paper-solving, causing exams to be held at a location other than the designated center, or not reporting exam fraud may face a jail term of 3-5 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Service providers involved in the conduct of computer-based examinations, if found guilty, may face a fine of up to Rs 1 crore and a four-year ban from conducting exams. The top management of such firms, if implicated, may be subject to 3-10 years in jail and a Rs 1 crore fine.
An organized group engaged in the use of unfair means in public examinations, including those associated with service providers or examination authorities, may face a jail term of 5-10 years and a fine of not less than Rs 1 crore. Institutions involved in such organized crime may be fined not less than Rs 1 crore and may face property attachment.
Public servants involved in paper leaks may receive 3-5 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Those acting in good faith will be protected from legal proceedings and departmental action. Public servants working for organized exam mafias may face 5-10 years in prison and a fine of not less than Rs 1 crore.
