The government recently introduced a bill in Lok Sabha to prevent malpractices and irregularities in competitive tests. The bill includes provisions for a maximum jail sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, follows the cancellation of a number of competitive exams, including the teacher recruitment exam in Rajasthan, the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-D posts in Haryana, the recruitment exam for junior clerks in Gujarat, and the constable recruitment exam in Bihar, due to question paper leaks.
The Bill intends to offer greater openness, fairness, and credibility to the public examination processes and reassure the youth that their earnest efforts would be adequately rewarded and that their future is safe.
Objective of the Bill:
- The Bill seeks to act against organized gangs, mafia elements, and those indulging in malpractices, without targeting students. Government officials found guilty will also not be spared.
- Constitution of a high-level national technical committee on public examinations that will make recommendations to make the computerized examination process more secure.
- The committee will develop protocols for insulating digital platforms, devise ways and means for developing fool proof IT security systems, ensure electronic surveillance of examination centers, and formulate national standards and services for both IT and physical infrastructure to be deployed for conduct of competitive examinations.
- Deter nefarious elements from using impersonation methods and indulging in paper leaks and other malpractices.
Earlier, on January 31, President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint sitting of both chambers of Parliament at the start of the Budget session, saying the administration is aware of the youth’s worries over examination irregularities.
She stated that it has been determined to establish a new law to strictly enforce such malpractices.
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Source: HT
