Proposed amendments to the 2024 law mandate fast-track trials, stricter penalties and time-bound investigations as Centre moves to curb organised examination fraud
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved a draft amendment to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, proposing significantly tougher penalties for paper leak offences, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore.
Approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the proposed legislation seeks to strengthen India’s legal framework against organised examination fraud.
Under the amendments, those convicted of paper leaks could face a minimum prison term of five years along with financial penalties, while organised rackets may attract up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines reaching Rs 10 crore.
The bill also mandates time-bound investigations, requiring probe agencies to complete investigations within three months, and introduces compulsory fast-track court trials.
The proposed law covers recruitment examinations conducted by agencies such as the UPSC and SSC, as well as entrance tests including NEET, JEE and CUET.
Government sources said the amendment bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament on Monday, following Prime Minister Modi’s announcement that stricter legislation against paper leaks would be brought during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
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