In a crucial move to address the persistent issue of paper leaks and malpractices in competitive examinations, Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024. The legislation introduces robust punitive measures, including a maximum jail term of 10 years and fines up to Rs 1 crore for individuals engaging in malpractices defined by its provisions.
Union minister Jitendra Singh, responding to the debate on the bill, assured that meritorious candidates and students would not bear the brunt of the proposed law. He emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing “organised crimes” from jeopardizing the success of deserving candidates.
During the proceedings, RSP MP N K Premachandran proposed amendments, seeking to broaden the definition of organized crime to include “favouritism and nepotism.” He also called for the removal of the provision granting exemption from punishment to officials proven not guilty. Despite these proposed changes, the bill was passed, marking a significant step in addressing malpractices in public exams.
Singh acknowledged concerns about the delay in re-examinations after cancellations due to paper leaks. He explained that while setting a specific timeline was challenging, efforts would be made to conduct re-exams at the earliest possible date.
Opposition members accused Singh of politicizing the bill by selectively mentioning instances of paper leaks in West Bengal and Rajasthan. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kathir Anand and Congress MP MK Vishnu Prasad highlighted the Vyapam scam in BJP-governed Madhya Pradesh, emphasizing the prevalence of paper leaks across states.
MPs Supriya Sule and Imtiaz Jaleel expressed concerns about the implementation of the proposed law and its potential impact on everyone involved in the exam process. While some members criticized the perceived centralization of the system, Singh denied the charge, asserting the government’s belief in cooperative federalism.
The discussion also touched upon the importance of conducting exams like NEET in local languages. Singh mentioned the UPSC’s multilingual approach and expressed the government’s intention to gradually include all 22 languages.
As the country grapples with the challenges of ensuring the integrity of examinations, the passage of this bill signifies a concerted effort to curb malpractices and maintain the credibility of public exams.
