In India, academic marks and degrees significantly influence an individual’s future. However, recent controversies surrounding national-level exams raise concerns about the integrity of the testing systems and the impact on candidates who invest significant time, money, and effort in preparation.
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) recently faced controversy, with issues such as unusually high perfect scores and allegations of paper leaks. Nearly 1,500 candidates received “grace marks” due to exam disruptions, further adding to the scrutiny.
Similarly, the cancellation of the UGC-NET June 2024 exams has intensified discussions on the need for a fair and authentic examination system.
To address such challenges, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, was enacted in February. This legislation aims to ensure fairness and credibility in public examinations across various authorities.
The Bill encompasses 19 sections divided into six chapters, comprehensively addressing issues related to unfair means in public examinations. It defines public exams and lists five public examination authorities, including the UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, and NTA.
The Bill imposes strict punishments, including imprisonment for three to five years and fines up to Rs 10 lakh for individuals resorting to unfair means. Service providers assisting in unfair practices face imprisonment of three to ten years and fines up to Rs 1 crore, along with a four-year ban from conducting public examinations.
The Bill specifically targets organized paper leaks, defining “organised crime” and prescribing imprisonment for a term not less than five years and fines not less than Rs 1 crore for such offenses.
The need for such legislation is underscored by the frequency of paper leaks and malpractices in public examinations, affecting the lives of millions of youth. The Bill seeks to identify and address vulnerabilities in the examination system through comprehensive legislation.