Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024
The Narendra Modi government introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 in an effort to enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examinations across India. These exams include those conducted by authorities like the UPSC and National Testing Agency (NTA).
Provisions of the Bill
- The Bill targets officials or organizations involved in exam malpractices, such as paper leaks and answer sheet tampering.
- Students or candidates are not under the purview of the Bill.
- Penalties include:
- Prison terms of three to five years and fines up to Rs 10 lakh for unfair means.
- Harsher penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and fines over Rs one crore for organized paper leaks.
Legislative Support and Criticism
- The Bill received bipartisan support in both Houses of Parliament.
- Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh and others criticized the absence of preventive measures.
- DMK member D M Kathir Anand highlighted the Bill's focus on penalties rather than prevention.
- TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee pointed out that similar offences were already covered by existing laws but lacked implementation.
Key Discussions in Lok Sabha
Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized the government's focus on providing opportunities to youth, citing the tragedy of an 18-year-old JEE aspirant's suicide as an impetus for the Bill. He noted the transition to computer-based exams to improve transparency and highlighted various instances of exam malpractices across states.
Key Discussions in Rajya Sabha
- Congress leader Digvijaya Singh supported the Bill but raised concerns about corruption in online exams, referencing the Vyapam scandal.
- BJP MP Prakash Javadekar defended the NTA's creation to ensure examination purity.
- Debates also touched upon the frequency of paper leaks and the need for stringent punishment.
Conclusion
Jitendra Singh concluded that the Bill is necessary for specifying offences related to exam malpractices and ensuring justice. The Bill was passed by both Houses, marking a significant legislative step in reforming the examination system.
