NEWS – Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 Punishing Organised Cheating Comes into Effect

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Provisions

• Punishments:
  • Imprisonment for a term not less than three years, extendable to five years.
  • Fine up to ₹10 lakh.
• For Service Providers:
  • Fine up to ₹1 crore and recovery of proportionate examination costs.
  • Barred from conducting public examinations for four years.

List of Offences

• Leakage of question papers or answer keys.
• Unauthorized assistance to candidates.
• Tampering with computer networks or systems.
• Creation of fake websites for cheating or monetary gain.
• Conducting fake examinations and issuing fake admit cards or offer letters.
• Manipulation in seating arrangements.

Exclusions

• The UGC-NET 2024 examination, canceled on June 19 due to being compromised, is not covered by the new law.

Implementation

• Act enforces strict measures to maintain integrity in public examinations.
• Central government appointed June 21, 2024, as the enforcement date of the Act.