In News:

The Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 to strengthen measures against paper leaks and examination malpractices following incidents such as the NEET-UG paper leak.

About the Act

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 is a Central law enacted to prevent paper leaks, organised cheating, impersonation, and other unfair practices in public examinations conducted by Central Government agencies.

The Act seeks to ensure fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment and admission processes.

Coverage

The Act applies to examinations conducted by notified public authorities, including:

• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
• Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
• National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
• Central Government Ministries, Departments and their attached offices

Key Features

Definition of Unfair Means

The Act criminalises activities such as:

• Leakage of question papers or answer keys.
• Unauthorized access to examination material.
• Tampering with computer networks or examination systems.
• Manipulation of merit lists or results.
• Impersonation and organised cheating.
• Fake examination websites, admit cards, or recruitment scams.

Penalties

• Individuals involved in unfair means can face 3–5 years imprisonment and a fine up to ?10 lakh.
• Organised paper leak syndicates may face 5–10 years imprisonment and a minimum fine of ?1 crore.
• Offences are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.

Liability of Service Providers

Service providers (IT firms, testing agencies, logistics vendors, etc.) found responsible for security lapses may face:

• Fine up to ?1 crore.
• Recovery of the entire examination cost.
• Debarment from conducting public examinations for four years.

Directors and senior management involved in such offences are also personally liable.

Investigation

Investigations must be conducted by police officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), with provision to transfer cases to agencies such as the CBI.

Significance

• Protects the integrity and credibility of public examinations.
• Acts as a deterrent against organised cheating networks.
• Ensures merit-based recruitment and admissions.
• Strengthens public confidence in national entrance and recruitment examinations.