New Delhi: The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, designed to curb unfair practices in public examinations and entrance tests nationwide, came into effect on Friday. This move follows allegations of misconduct during the NEET and UGC NET exams.
A gazette notification from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions declared that the Act would be enforced starting June 21, 2024. Passed during the Budget session of Parliament on February 10 and signed by President Droupadi Murmu on February 13, the Act aims to enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examinations, particularly in government recruitment exams.
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.
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2024
A gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public… pic.twitter.com/TMJhsDtcJ5
The Act targets exams conducted by various central government authorities, including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), National Testing Agency (NTA), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), and other related departments. It includes provisions against disclosing exam information prematurely and unauthorized access to exam centers, with penalties ranging from three to five years of imprisonment and fines up to ₹10 lakh. All offences under this Act are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.
Regarding the NEET-UG 2024 exam conducted on May 5, results were released earlier than planned, on June 4 instead of June 14, to ensure transparency. On June 13, the NTA informed the Supreme Court that it would annul the scorecards of 1563 candidates who had received “grace marks” due to examination disruptions. These candidates could either retake the exam on June 23 or forfeit the compensatory marks. The NEET-UG exam, managed by the NTA, is crucial for admissions into medical and related courses across India.