• Source:JND
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Lok Sabha on Tuesday cleared the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024. The bill aims to curb cheating and paper leaks. The bill aims to deal with the issue of cheating in public examinations in various domains including UPSC, SSC, Railways, NEET, JEE, and CUET.

The bill has provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore. Union minister Jitendra Singh said its provisions are meant to safeguard the interest of meritorious students and candidates. 

The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha after rejecting amendments proposed by the opposition members.

Singh, while introducing the bill said the government "will not allow meritorious (candidates) to be sacrificed at the alter of organised crimes".

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"This is above politics and concern which deals with the daughters and sons of this country, which we all of us should share. There are few doubts as we have not read the bill thoroughlly. Firstly I want to clear that the students or the candidates do not fall in the purview of this legislation. This Bill is for those who indulge in unfair means and adversely impact the public examination system for wrongful gains," he added.

The bill has stringent provisions against malpractices. Students in several states have suffered in the past due to examinations getting cancelled for malpractices including paper leaks.

At present, there is no specific substantive law at the national level to deal with unfair means adopted or offences committed by persons, organized groups, or any other agency or organisation that adversely impacts the conduct of public examinations by the central government and its agencies.

The bill covers exams conducted by the UPSC, Staff Selection Commission and entrance tests such as NEET and JEE. Bonafide candidates and students as defined in the Bill shall not be liable for action within the purview of the Bill.

(With inputs from agency)