To combat paper leaks, the government plans to present a bill called the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday. This legislation aims to tackle unfair practices in exams, such as central agency competitive exams and university exams.
Those found guilty may face fines between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and up to 10 years of imprisonment, as per the proposed bill. Additionally, the government intends to create a High Level National Technical Committee under this law.
Bill Against Paper Leaks
In a significant move to combat dishonest practices in entrance exams, the government plans to introduce a bill during the budget session of Parliament. The proposed Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) bill aims to deter individuals, groups, or institutions involved in unfair activities that harm the integrity of public examinations for personal gains.
The bill will include strict measures against malpractices, addressing concerns raised by previous exam cancellations in various states due to issues like paper leaks. Additionally, the bill focuses on competitive and entrance exams, with provisions for establishing a high-level technical committee to address cybersecurity challenges in public examinations.
Currently, there is no comprehensive national law addressing unfair practices or offenses in public examinations conducted by the Central Government and its agencies. According to sources, a proposed bill may significantly increase penalties for malpractices, including a possible 10-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs one crore. It is anticipated that these offenses will become non-bailable under the new legislation.
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Cracking Down on Exam Irregularities
Last year, several exams faced cancellation due to question paper leaks, including the teacher recruitment exam in Rajasthan, the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-D posts in Haryana, the recruitment exam for junior clerks in Gujarat, and the constable recruitment examination in Bihar.
During the Budget session’s opening joint sitting of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu acknowledged the youth’s concerns about exam irregularities. She announced the government’s decision to introduce a new law aimed at addressing and preventing such malpractices sternly.
When Will the Bill Against Paper Leaks Be Presented?
Insider information indicates that the proposed legislation may be introduced in Parliament next week. The bill is expected to undergo parliamentary review and is not designed to impact students. The current budget session of Parliament began on Wednesday, featuring the President’s address to both Houses in a joint sitting. This session is scheduled to run until February 9.
Bill Against Paper Leaks Objective
The goal of the proposed bill is to enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examination systems. It aims to assure young individuals that their hard work will be rightfully recognized and their future prospects secured. This legislation will apply to exams conducted by UPSC, Staff Selection Commission, as well as entrance tests like NEET and JEE.
The Bill states that bona fide candidates and students won’t face legal actions under its purview. The government has introduced reforms to improve transparency in recruitment and higher education exams. Changes include self-attestation, shorter exam cycles (6-10 months), no interviews for Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts, computer-based tests, and digital appointment letters via ‘Rojgar Mela’.
Recently, some states had to cancel or couldn’t declare exam results due to unfair practices by anti-social elements. The Bill aims to deter organized groups involved in solver gangs, impersonation, and paper leaks. Identifying and dealing with those exploiting vulnerabilities is crucial, and the Bill intends to establish comprehensive Central legislation for this purpose.
Considering the increasing role of technology in exams, a High-level National Technical Committee on Public Examinations will be set up. It will focus on developing protocols for secure digital platforms, foolproof IT security, electronic surveillance of exam centers, and national standards for IT and physical infrastructure used in exams.
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Bill Against Paper Leaks FAQs
Q.1. What is the purpose of the Public Examination Bill?
Ans. The bill aims to combat unfair practices, specifically paper leaks, in both central agency competitive exams and university exams.
Q.2. What penalties may those found guilty face under the proposed bill?
Ans. Guilty individuals may face fines ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Q.3. What is the focus of the High-Level National Technical Committee under the proposed law?
Ans. The committee focuses on addressing cybersecurity challenges in public examinations, aiming to ensure exam integrity.
Q.4. Which exams does the bill target?
Ans. The bill targets competitive and entrance exams, including those conducted by UPSC, Staff Selection Commission, NEET, and JEE.
Q.5. When is the proposed bill expected to be introduced in Parliament?
Ans. Insider information suggests the bill may be presented next week during the ongoing budget session, scheduled until February 9.
