New Law Targets Exam Cheating: Up to 10 Years in Jail, Rs 1 Crore Fine

The central government has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to tackle cheating in national exams by introducing strict penalties.



As the Education Ministry and the National Testing Agency (NTA) address allegations of paper leaks, the Centre announced this stringent law on Friday to combat malpractices in competitive exams.

“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,” reads the notification by the Personnel Ministry.



Under the Act that took effect on Friday, anyone found guilty of leaking exam papers or tampering with answer sheets will face a minimum jail term of three years, which can extend to five years, along with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. All offences under this Act are cognisable and non-bailable.


Examination service providers who are aware of a potential offence but fail to report it can be fined up to Rs 1 crore.


If an investigation reveals that a senior official from the service provider permitted or participated in the offence, they will face imprisonment for a minimum of three years, up to a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of Rs 1 crore. If the examination authority or service provider engages in organized crime, the jail term will be five to 10 years, with the fine remaining at Rs 1 crore.


The notification references the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita but clarifies that the Indian Penal Code will remain in force until the new code is implemented. The Sanhita and other new criminal laws are set to take effect on July 1.


The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, was introduced in the 17th Lok Sabha on February 5, passed the next day, and subsequently approved by the Rajya Sabha on February 9.



The Act is designed to deter the use of unfair practices in public examinations conducted by significant organisations, including the Union Public Service Commission (U.P.S.C.), Staff Selection Commission (S.S.C.), railways, banking recruitment exams, and the National Testing Agency (NTA), among others.


On Saturday, the Centre removed Subodh Singh, the Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), in response to criticism over inconsistencies in competitive exams. They also transferred the investigation of irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam to the CBI.


Pradeep Singh Kharola, who is currently the Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (I.T.P.O.), has been given additional responsibility as the head of the NTA until a permanent replacement is found.


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