The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared amendments to the “Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024” to curb question paper leaks and other irregularities in government competitive exams.
The amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 27 by Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh, amid disruptions in the House. The proposed changes aim to strengthen deterrence through tougher jail terms and steeper penalties.
Under the amendments, punishment for those involved in exam malpractice is proposed to rise from three years to five years, with a maximum sentence of up to 10 years. For individual offenders, the fine is set to increase from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
For organised gangs involved in paper leaks, the minimum jail term is proposed to be raised from five years to seven years, and the minimum fine from Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore. Private agencies linked to exam conduct, printing or IT support could face fines up to Rs 5 crore, along with a ban of up to eight years from conducting public examinations.
The bill also proposes time-bound investigations by police or central agencies within two months, and the setting up of special fast-track courts in every state and Union Territory for paper-leak cases. Appeals against fast-track court verdicts can be filed before a High Court bench of two judges, with such appeals to be disposed of within three months.
