What is the purpose of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024?
The Act aims to curb the increasing instances of question paper leaks and other malpractices in recruitment examinations conducted by various government bodies to enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility.
What are the penalties introduced by the new Act?
The Act introduces stringent penalties, including a minimum fine of Rs.1 crore for those involved in organized cheating crimes and jail sentences ranging from 5 to 10 years for organized paper leaks.
Which examination authorities are covered under the Act?
The Act covers central public examination authorities such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB), and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
How does the Act seek to check malpractices like question paper leaks?
The Act seeks to deter such malpractices by providing greater authority to central government agencies for stringent action against offenders, including fines and jail sentences.
What has been the trend in paper leaks in public exams?
Paper leaks have been rampant in public exams, with a reported increase in exam cancellations and instances of cheating, particularly in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand.
Why have some states failed to curb malpractices in recruitment exams?
Despite existing laws and steps to curb cheating in examinations, some states have struggled to prevent pervasive cheating, often due to loopholes in existing regulations and a lack of stringent enforcement.
What additional measures are being taken to prevent cheating in exams?
In addition to the Act, measures include the establishment of technical committees on public examinations to enhance the security of the process, designing foolproof systems to safeguard digital platforms, devising foolproof security systems, incorporating electronic surveillance of examination centers, and adopting strong cyber security measures.
