
On Monday, the Lok Sabha witnessed the introduction of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, aimed at deterring individuals, organized groups, or institutions engaging in unfair practices that negatively impact public examinations. Minister of State for Personnel and Training, Jitendra Singh, presented the bill, which incorporates strict measures against malpractices that have led to the cancellation of exams in various states due to issues such as paper leaks.
The legislation, specifically addressing competitive and entrance exams, proposes the establishment of a high-level technical committee to address cybersecurity challenges in public examinations. Currently, there is no comprehensive national law dealing specifically with unfair means affecting public exams conducted by the Central Government and its agencies.
The bill outlines heightened penalties for malpractices with the overarching goal of fostering transparency, fairness, and credibility within the public examination systems. It seeks to reassure the youth that genuine efforts will be duly rewarded, protecting their futures. The bill encompasses exams conducted by prestigious bodies like the UPSC, Staff Selection Commission, and entrance tests such as NEET and JEE, ensuring that bonafide candidates and students defined in the bill are not subject to actions under its purview.
Government officials highlight various reforms already implemented, including self-attestation, shortened examination cycles, elimination of interviews for Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts, computer-based tests, and digital issuance of appointment letters under ‘Rojgar Mela.’ These reforms contribute to enhancing transparency in both recruitment and higher education admissions.
Given instances of exam cancellations and result withholding due to unfair practices, the bill specifically aims to address the involvement of organized groups and criminal elements using solver gangs, impersonation, and paper leaks. It emphasizes the need to deter such nefarious activities.
Recognizing the growing role of technology in examinations, the proposal includes the establishment of a National Technical Committee on Public Examinations. This committee will focus on developing protocols for securing digital platforms, implementing foolproof IT security systems, ensuring electronic surveillance at examination centers, and formulating national standards for both IT and physical infrastructure used in conducting examinations.