Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 : 6 Feb, 2024

Key features of the bill:

Objective: Enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examination systems, ensuring fair reward for genuine efforts and securing the future of the youth.
Applicability: Applies to exams conducted by UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, and NTA, including JEE, NEET, and CUET, as well as all central ministries, departments, and their recruitment offices.

National Testing Agency (NTA)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an independent, autonomous testing organization in India.
It was established in November 2017 by the Ministry of Education.
Its purpose is to conduct entrance exams for admission and fellowships in higher educational institutions.

- Exclusion of Candidates: The bill targets entities using unfair means for gains but excludes candidates, who remain subject to existing administrative provisions.

- 3-to-5-year jail term for paper leaks.
- Up to 10 years for links to organized crime.
- Rs 1 crore fine and recovery of exam costs from firms, with possible bans on conducting exams.

Unfair Means Definition: Section 3 lists 20 offenses, including impersonation and tampering with documents.
Nature of Offences: Cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, as per Section 9.
Investigation: Led by officers of DSP/ACP rank or higher, with the possibility of Central agency involvement, allowing warrantless arrests.
Model for States: While binding for central authorities, serves as a model draft for state-level examinations.

Why in News:

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 was tabled in the Lok Sabha recently.