Anti-paper leak law comes into force amid NEET row
The Centre has notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, passed in February to prevent paper leaks and cheating.
The stringent law took effect on Friday, amid the controversies surrounding the NEET and UGC-NET exams.
Under the law, any person or persons found guilty of leaking a paper or tampering with answer sheets will receive a minimum jail term of three years. This can be extended to five years with a fine of up to Rs.10 lakh. All offences under the Act will be cognizable and non-bailable.
As per the new law, examination service providers who have knowledge about a possible offence but do not report it can be fined up to Rs.1 crore.
During the investigation, if it is established that any senior official from the service provider had allowed or was involved in committing the offence, he will face imprisonment for a minimum of three years, which can go up to 10 years, and a fine of Rs.1 crore.
If the examination authority or the service provider commits an organized crime, the jail term will be a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10, and the fine will remain at Rs.1 crore.
The Rajya Sabha cleared the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, or the ‘anti-paper leak’ bill on February 9.
President Droupadi Murmu approved the bill in the same month following which it became law.
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