The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned a draft bill proposing tougher penalties for paper leaks in competitive exams. The amendments to The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 aim to deter malpractices that have disrupted national exams and caused distress to students. Individuals involved in paper leaks could now face a minimum of five years in prison along with a fine.
The bill suggests that in cases of organized paper leaks, offenders may receive up to 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of Rs 10 crore. This represents a significant increase from the current law, which stipulates three to five years of imprisonment for individuals and five to 10 years for organized crimes related to cheating and paper leaks. The amendments also aim to escalate financial penalties and impose stricter consequences on repeat or large-scale offenders.
The proposed legislation follows Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of examinations and promptly declaring results for over 2.2 million students. It is anticipated that the bill will enhance the examination system’s credibility and instill confidence among students and parents. More details, including provisions for fast-track trials, are expected to be disclosed when the bill is presented in Parliament next week.
