New Delhi: The government implemented a new law on Friday to crack down on misconduct and violations in competitive exams, with penalties including up to 10 years in jail and a fine of Rs 1 crore. Almost four months following President Droupadi Murmu's approval of The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, the Personnel Ministry released a notification on Friday night stating that the act will be enforced starting June 21.
The move is important in the midst of a heated debate regarding the leakage of the UGC-NET 2024 exam's question paper. On Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated an investigation into the exam question paper leak conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Opposition parties have claimed that there were irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam results announced by NTA on June 4. The notification states that the Central Government has appointed June 21, 2024, as the date when the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024) will be enforced.
The announcement of the Act occurred the day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was questioned about the timing of its implementation. The minister mentioned that the law ministry was in the process of drafting the regulations.
The Rajya Sabha approved the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, on February 9. It was approved by the Lok Sabha on February 6. President Murmu authorized the bill on February 12, transforming it into legislation. The intention of the Act is to prohibit dishonest practices in the public exams carried out by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Staff Selection Commission.