New Exam Law: 10-Year Jail and 1 Crore Fine for Cheating

The government has introduced a new exam law to tackle exam malpractices, specifically targeting paper leaks and other forms of cheating in recruitment and entrance examinations. The Public Examination Act 2024, outlined under Section 3, lists at least 15 actions that, if committed, will attract a hefty fine of up to INR 1 crore and a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Purpose of the Anti-Paper Leak Law

The law aims to curb the rampant issues of cheating and fraud in recruitment and entrance examinations. In light of several paper leak controversies, this legislation is a significant step toward maintaining the integrity of competitive exams. The law covers a wide range of exams including those conducted by UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Board, IBPS, and NTA. It also encompasses major exams such as JEE, NEET, and CUET. Before this law, there was no specific legislation addressing these issues. New Exam Law

List of Offenses and Penalties | New Exam Law

The bill specifies a minimum of three years to a maximum of five years of imprisonment for preventive measures against malpractices. For those involved in organized criminal activities related to exam fraud, the penalty ranges from five to ten years of imprisonment, along with a fine of up to INR 1 crore. All offenses under this law are cognizable and non-bailable.

Key Offenses Under Section 3 | New Exam Law

1. Leaking Exam Papers and Answers

• Unauthorized dissemination of question papers, answer keys, or any related information.

1. Unauthorized Possession of Exam Materials

• Holding exam papers or Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) response sheets without authorization.

1. Tampering with Examination Networks or Devices

• Interfering with computer networks or devices used in examinations.

1. Issuing Fake Admit Cards

• Creating or distributing counterfeit admit cards or offer letters.

1. Providing Answers at Exam Centers

• Supplying answers to candidates during the examination.

1. Tampering with OMR Sheets or Answer Booklets

• Unauthorized modification of OMR sheets or answer booklets.

1. Conducting Fake Examinations for Monetary Gain

• Organizing fraudulent examinations for financial benefit.

1. Document Falsification

• Altering documents related to examinations.

1. Disrupting Seating Arrangements

• Manipulating seating arrangements in exam centers.

1. Colluding in Paper Leaks
   • Collaborating with others to leak exam papers or answer keys.
2. Unauthorized Assistance
   • Providing any form of unauthorized help to candidates during exams.
3. Altering Evaluation Results
   • Changing evaluation results without authorization, except for correcting genuine errors.
4. Violating Security Measures Intentionally
   • Deliberately breaching security protocols to facilitate cheating.
5. Threatening Examination Authorities
   • Intimidating or obstructing examination authorities.
6. Premature Disclosure of Confidential Information
   • Releasing exam-related confidential information before the official time.

Implementation and Enforcement | New Exam Law

The Public Examination Act 2024 mandates strict enforcement to ensure that all involved parties adhere to the regulations. Service providers found guilty will be liable to pay a fine of INR 1 crore. This stringent measure is intended to deter individuals and organizations from engaging in fraudulent activities. New Exam Law

Impact on Various Examination Bodies

The law affects all major examination bodies, including:

• UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
• SSC (Staff Selection Commission)
• Railway Recruitment Board
• IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection)
• NTA (National Testing Agency)
• JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)
• NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)
• CUET (Common University Entrance Test)

These bodies are required to comply with the new regulations to prevent any form of malpractice in their examinations.