Amid NEET Row, Centre Introduces Harsh Penalties For Exam Leaks - Rs 1 Crore Fine, Jail Term

The Centre has enacted the stringent Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to combat paper leaks and cheating in exams like NEET and UGC-NET. This law, passed in February and now officially notified, imposes strict penalties for violations.

Individuals caught leaking exam papers or tampering with answer sheets will face a minimum of three years in jail, which can extend to five years, and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. All offences are considered cognisable and non-bailable.

Photo Credit: PTI

Examination service providers who know of potential offences but fail to report them can be fined up to Rs 1 crore. Senior officials involved in such offences face imprisonment from 3 to 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 crore.

If examination authorities or service providers commit organised crimes, they face a minimum jail term of five years, which can extend to ten years, and a fine of Rs 1 crore.

The notification mentions the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita but clarifies that the Indian Penal Code will remain in effect until the new law is implemented on July 1, reported NDTV.

Controversy

NEET-UG 2024:

About 24 lakh students took the NEET-UG 2024 on May 5. Results announced on June 4 were overshadowed by allegations of a paper leak and awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 students, leading to protests and legal cases, including in the Supreme Court.

UGC-NET Exam Cancellation

On Wednesday, the Education Ministry canceled the UGC-NET exam held a day earlier after cyber crime teams reported questions were on the darknet. Over 9 lakh candidates had appeared.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has taken moral responsibility for these incidents, however, he has described them as 'isolated'. On the other hand, the entire paper leak saga has added more teeth to Opposition's armour which is expected to continue in upcoming Parliament session on Monday.