In response to the controversy over irregularities in the NEET UG and UGC NET exams, the Central Government implemented the Anti Paper Leak Law on Friday. The notification was issued Friday night. This law aims to prevent cheating and paper leaks in recruitment exams. Under the law, leaking exam papers or tampering with OMR sheets will result in jail time ranging from 3 to 5 years, along with fines between 10 lakh and 1 crore. Additionally, the cost of the examination will be recovered from those found guilty.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 – the anti-paper leak law for examinations for central recruitment and entrance into central educational institutions, came into effect on Friday.
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Before this law, the central government lacked a specific law to address exam irregularities. The new law identifies the following actions as crimes:
1. Leaking any competitive exam paper or answer key.
2. Possessing the paper or answer key without permission.
3. Assisting a candidate during the exam.
4. Receiving help to solve the paper during the exam.
5. Tampering with the OMR sheet.
6. Violating standards set by the government agency.
7. Tampering with any exam center or its system.
8. Issuing fake admit cards and conducting the exam improperly.
9. Tampering during the checking of answer sheets.
10. Threatening authorities at exam centers.
Here are the main provisions of the new law:
1. Tampering with the answer sheet will result in 3 to 5 years of imprisonment.
2. Fines will range from 10 lakhs to 1 crore.
3. If a service provider is found guilty, they will be fined 1 crore.
4. The law covers malpractices in UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Board, IBPS, and NTA exams.
5. All crimes related to exam paper leaks are non-bailable.
6. The cost of the exam will be recovered from those responsible for the paper leak.
7. If an exam center is involved, it will be suspended for 4 years.
8. Properties of exam centers involved in paper leaks will be confiscated.
9. The government can have agencies like CBI, ED, and IB investigate paper leak cases.
10. Officers below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police can investigate crimes under this law.
Also Read: NTA Calls Off CSIR UGC-NET Exam Amid Unforeseen Circumstances
