Anti-paper leak law for exams comes into effect amid NEET, UGC-NET row

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations and common entrance tests held across the country, came into effect on Friday. This follows the massive row over alleged malpractices in conducting the NEET and UGC NET examinations.

The Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament in the Budget session, which concluded on February 10. It seeks to prevent the use of “unfair means” in public examinations and bring “greater transparency, fairness, and credibility”.

On February 13, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, which aims to check cheating in government recruitment exams.

The public examinations referred to in the Act include those conducted by authorities notified by the central government. These include the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, National Testing Agency, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, and Departments of the central government and their attached offices for recruitment.

The Act also prohibits the disclosure of exam-related confidential information before time and unauthorized people from entering exam centers to create disruptions. Offenses will be punishable with imprisonment between three and five years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

All offenses under the Bill will be cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.

The NEET-UG 2024 exam was conducted on May 5, and its results were declared on June 4, ahead of its scheduled announcement date of June 14.

The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), paves the way for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

On June 13, the NTA informed the Supreme Court that the scorecards of 1,563 candidates who were awarded “grace marks” in the NEET-UG 2024 exam would be canceled. These candidates would have the option to reappear for the exam on June 23, with the results declared before June 30, or forgo the compensatory marks given for the loss of time.