On June 19, the Union Education Ministry made the decision to cancel the UGC-NET 2024 examination. This decision came after reports surfaced suggesting potential breaches in the test’s integrity, prompting concerns about the fairness and validity of the examination. The UGC-NET, conducted on June 18 in 317 cities across India, saw the participation of over 1.1 million candidates. Following the cancellation, the matter has been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation to determine the extent of any potential irregularities and hold those responsible accountable.
This cancellation of the UGC-NET exam arrives amidst a series of controversies surrounding another major entrance examination, the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) for medical admissions. The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting both the UGC-NET and NEET exams, has faced scrutiny and criticism over concerns about the integrity of these examinations. In response to these ongoing controversies, the NEET PG exam, scheduled for Sunday, June 23, has been postponed as a ‘precautionary measure’ to ensure a fair and secure examination environment.
The cancellation of the UGC-NET and the postponement of NEET PG underscore the importance of maintaining the integrity of public examinations. In light of these recent events, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued a notification on Friday, June 21, bringing into effect the provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. This act, also known as the ‘anti-paper leak’ law, was enacted by the Union government to address the growing issue of dishonest practices in public examinations, aiming to deter cheating and ensure a fair and transparent examination system.
The UGC-NET exam is a crucial test for aspiring educators, serving as the gateway to entry-level teaching positions in Indian universities and for admission to PhD programmes. The cancellation of this exam represents the first instance of a national-level public examination being scrapped following the introduction of the ‘anti-paper leak’ law. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2024. It swiftly passed through both houses of Parliament, receiving approval in the Lok Sabha on February 6 and the Rajya Sabha on February 9, 2024. Later that month, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent, officially making the bill into law.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, is designed to combat the use of dishonest methods in public examinations, ensuring a level playing field for all candidates. These examinations encompass a wide range of competitive tests conducted by various bodies such as the Union Public Service Commission, the Staff Selection Commission, the Railway Recruitment Board, the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, and the Union government departments along with their affiliated offices for recruitment purposes.
The law takes a comprehensive approach to address various offenses related to public examinations, prohibiting any collaboration to engage in dishonest practices. These unfair practices include, but are not limited to, gaining or giving unauthorized access to or leaking question papers or answer keys, providing assistance to candidates during exams, and manipulating computer networks, resources, or documents that are involved in the shortlisting or finalizing of merit lists or rankings.
According to PRS Legislative Research, the law also criminalizes the conduct of fake examinations, the issuance of counterfeit admit cards or offer letters for fraudulent or monetary purposes. Additionally, it prohibits the premature disclosure of confidential exam information and the admittance of unauthorized individuals into exam centers.
The law outlines specific penalties for these offenses, including imprisonment ranging from three to five years and fines up to ₹10 lakh. Furthermore, it prohibits service providers from relocating exam centres without approval from the examination authority. A service provider, defined as an organization offering computer resources or other support to a public examination authority, faces fines up to ₹1 crore and other penalties for violations.
The law imposes even harsher penalties for organized crimes, defined as illegal activities conducted by individuals or groups for wrongful gain during public examinations. Those convicted of such crimes face imprisonment of five to ten years and a minimum fine of ₹1 crore. If an institution is found guilty of organized crime, its property will be seized, and it will also be required to cover a proportionate cost of the examination.
All offenses under this law are cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. Offences under this law will be investigated by an officer of at least the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police. The central government also has the authority to transfer the investigation to any central investigating agency.
