Lok Sabha introduces bill with 10-year jail, Rs 1 crore fine for paper leaks

Today in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024, aimed at addressing the persistent issue of paper leaks in national examinations. The bill proposes severe penalties for those involved in paper leaks and fraudulent examination practices. If found guilty in a paper leak case, the bill mandates a punishment of 10 years' imprisonment and a hefty fine of Rs 1 crore. Additionally, individuals caught taking exams on behalf of others may face 3 to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 lakh.

The bill, which encompasses various national-level examinations, including UPSC, SSC, Railway, Banking, NEET, and JEE, aims to instill transparency in the examination system. It introduces provisions to recover examination expenses from institutions involved in paper leaks and allows the confiscation of their property. The investigation into paper leaks and copying incidents will be carried out by Deputy Superintendent of Police and Assistant Police Commissioner level officers, ensuring a thorough examination of each case. The bill addresses the need for a national-level law to counter paper leaks that have led to exam cancellations and additional financial burdens on the government.