Centre has notified a stringent law to prevent any attempt of cheating and paper leaks amid massive controversies on NEET and UGC-NET. The law was passed in February.
This came a day after questions on implementation of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 were put up ro Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The reason behind this delay was that the law ministry was framing the rules, he said.
As per the law, anyone who is found to be guilty of paper leak or tampering with answer sheets will be sentenced for three years of imprisonment. Of required this may even extend up to five years and a fine of up to ₹ 10 lakh. All the offences under this new law will be cognizable and non-bailable.
The law also covers provisions on punishing any senior official if he is found to be involved in any such offence. The official will be imprisoned for a minimum three years, the period can also extend up to 10 years and a fine or ₹ 10 crore.
As per the new law, if examination service providers having information about any of such offence but do not report can also be fined up to ₹ 1 crore.
If any examination authority also commits any crime for the conduct of any exam will also be punished with minimum imprisonment of five years, that may be extended up to 10 years and a fine of ₹ 1 crore.
Although, the notification mentions Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita but provisions of Indian Penal Code will be applicable until it is implemented. The Sanhita along with other criminal laws will come into effect from July 1.
