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New Delhi: The Centre on Friday enacted a stringent law aimed at curbing malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations with a maximum jail term of 10 years and fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Provision of Rs 1 crore for the offenders.
Nearly four months after President Draupadi Murmu gave assent to the Public Examinations Act, 2024, the Personnel Ministry issued a notification on Friday night saying the provisions of the law will come into force from June 21.
The move is considered significant amid the ongoing controversy over the question paper leak of the UGC-NET, 2024 exam. The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday registered a case to probe the question paper leak of the exam conducted by the National Testing Agency.
Opposition parties have also alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG, results of which were declared by the NTA on June 4.
The notification said, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 1 of the Public Examinations Act, 2024, the Central Government hereby appoints the 21st day of June, 2024, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.”
The notification of the Act comes just a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, when asked when the law would come into force, had said that the Law Ministry was framing the rules.
The Public Examinations Bill, 2024 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on February 9. The Lok Sabha passed it on February 6. President Murmu gave her assent to the Bill on February 12, making it a law.
The Act aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railways, banking recruitment examinations and National Testing Agency.
It provides for a minimum imprisonment of three to five years to curb fraud and those involved in organised crimes of fraud will face a jail term of five to 10 years along with a minimum fine. 1 crore.
Prior to this legislation, there was no specific law to deal with unfair means adopted or offences committed by various entities involved in the conduct of public examinations by the Central Government and its agencies.
Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said the Act aims to prevent organised gangs and institutions which use unfair means for monetary gain and to provide protection to candidates through its provisions.
This article is generated from an automated news agency feed without any modifications to the text.
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