What are the aims and objects of recently passed and enforced, The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024? Whether University/State Education Board examinations, too, are covered under the Act?

Recurring paper leaks and organised malpractice in national recruitment and entrance tests eroded public trust, prompting Parliament to enact the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which came into force in June 2024.

Aims and objects

• To prevent unfair means and organised malpractice in public examinations and ensure transparency, fairness and credibility.
• To protect meritorious candidates and deter organised gangs, leak mafias and solution providers.
• To provide a deterrent framework of stringent, cognizable and non-bailable offences.

Key provisions

• It defines 'unfair means' broadly - leaking papers or answer keys, unauthorised access, impersonation, tampering with results, and manipulating seating or documents.
• Punishment ranges from three to five years' imprisonment with fines up to Rs 10 lakh for individuals.
• For organised crime by groups or institutions, imprisonment extends from five to ten years with a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore, plus attachment of property.
• Examination service providers can be barred and penalised.

Coverage - which examinations?

The Act applies to 'public examinations' conducted by notified central authorities listed in its Schedule - the UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, IBPS and the National Testing Agency (NTA), among others.

Are University/State Board examinations covered?

No. University and State Education Board examinations are not automatically covered, since they fall outside the notified central authorities. However, the Act enables the Centre to add authorities by notification, and it offers states a model law they may adopt to cover their own examinations.