Centre Notifies Anti-paper Leak Law Amid NEET, UGC-NET Controversy; Jail Terms, Fine & Other Details

Amid the ongoing row over the alleged malpractices in NEET and UGC NET exams, the central government on Friday notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations and common entrance tests held across the country.

The Act aims to curb paper leaks and malpractices in recruitment examinations like UPSC, SSC etc and entrance tests such as NEET, JEE and CUET.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the Central Government hereby appoints the 21st day of June, 2024 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” the official notification released by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions read.

The move came after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said the Central government is committed to protecting the interests of students and there will be no compromise on their future.

“I want to assure everyone that the government is committed to protecting the interests of students. We will not compromise on transparency. We assure you that the government will always adopt a transparent process and practice to protect your interests. Have faith on the government and the system,” he said.

Notably, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act was passed in February this year. The anti-paper leak bill was first introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2024 and was passed a day after its introduction on February 6. Subsequently, the bill was passed in the Upper House of Parliament on February 9, 2024. Following the passage of the Bill in both houses, President Droupadi Murmu cleared the Bill in the same month, and it became a law.

Punishments Under The Law

As per the Act, any person found guilty of leaking a paper or tampering with answer sheets is subject to a minimum jail term of three years, which can be extended to five years with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

The law also states that if a person or a group of persons commits an organised crime, including the examination authority, service provider, or any other institution, they will be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than five years but which may extend to ten years, and a fine not less than Rs 1 crore.

The move assumes significance amid a raging row over the UGC-NET 2024 exam’s question paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday registered a case to probe the question paper leak of the exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).