The Lok Sabha recently approved the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024. The purpose of this bill is to stop cheating and malpractices in government recruitment exams. Those found guilty could face a minimum of three years in prison and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.
During the discussion of the bill, Union Personnel Minister Jitendra Singh assured that the goal is to punish those who exploit the system, not harass applicants. He acknowledged the impact of delayed exams on students and promised to minimize the harm caused by cancelled exams.
The bill was approved by the Lok Sabha to address cheating and malpractices in government admission tests. It proposes a punishment of three years in prison and a fine of up to ₹1 crore. Minister Jitendra Singh assured that no candidate would be harassed and that there are no plans to generalize the policy. Efforts are being made to minimize the harm caused by exam cancellations.
Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted that approximately 70 lakh candidates participate in exams conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). The exams are now conducted in 13 languages, with plans to expand to all 22 in the future. The penalties included in the bill aim to deter wrongdoing and promote the use of regional languages in exams.
Concerns were raised about the existing rules not covering all charges listed in the proposed legislation. Minister Jitendra Singh clarified that the bill specifies and recognizes unfair means in exam conduct. He stated that a crime would fall under existing rules if its severity exceeded a certain threshold.
Congressman M.K. Vishnu Prasad urged the administration to ensure that re-examinations occur within three months after cancellations, as many young people cannot afford to wait indefinitely. Prasad also highlighted the challenges faced by students in clearing the NEET exam and called for a more comprehensive approach to address these issues.
The bill was criticized for its narrow focus on jail time and punishment. Prasad argued for a more comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of misbehavior and attracts students to training centers. BJP member Achutananda Samantha discussed the competitive environment and how cheating is seen as a way to pass exams quickly. He emphasized the importance of coaching in this context.
Other members of parliament raised concerns about the overlap and broad implications of the bill. N.K. RSP member Premachandran requested a review of the bill by a standing parliamentary committee. Congress MP Adhiranjan Chaudhary questioned the bill’s ability to ensure transparency and expressed doubts about the government’s ability to bridge the transparency gap.
In summary, the Lok Sabha approved the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 to address cheating and malpractices in government recruitment exams. The bill includes punishments for those found guilty and aims to minimize the harm caused by exam cancellations. However, concerns were raised about the bill’s narrow focus and its ability to ensure transparency.
