Centre plans to introduce Bill to prevent unfair means in public examinations
- The Centre plans to introduce the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 during the ongoing session of Parliament.
Scope of the Bill
- The Bill aims to address issues related to paper leaks and organised cheating in public examinations, covering various exams such as UPSC, SSC, Railways, NEET, JEE, CUET, and others.
Enforcement and Penalties
- The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions will oversee the Bill.
- The proposed penalties include a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment
- with a higher range (five-10 years) for organized crimes. A minimum fine of Rs 1 crore is proposed for organized crimes.
Protection for Candidates
- The Bill protects candidates from liability under its provisions, ensuring they remain covered by existing administrative provisions of examination authorities.
National Technical Committee
- The Bill proposes the establishment of a high-level National Technical Committee on Public Examinations to develop :
- protocols for digital platforms
- Enhance IT security
- conduct electronic surveillance, and set national standards.
Need for the Bill
- The absence of a national-level law to deal with unfair means in public examinations necessitates the proposed legislation.
- The Bill aims to deter individuals, groups, or institutions engaging in unfair practices that adversely impact the public examination systems.
Prelims Takeaway
- National Technical Committee
- Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions