Effective from June 21, the anti-paper leak law imposes stringent penalties on individuals engaged in cheating or organized malpractices during public examinations. It empowers examination authorities to enlist the assistance of current or retired government personnel to oversee exams, ensuring adherence to strict procedural norms.
NEW DELHI: The National Recruitment Agency (NRA) has been tasked with developing rules, criteria, and protocols for computer-based competitive exams, in alignment with the newly passed law aimed at preventing paper leaks.
The enactment of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, marks a pivotal step forward. Spearheaded by the National Recruitment Agency (NRA), this legislation aims to combat rampant cheating and paper leaks that have plagued competitive exams conducted by central agencies.
READ ALSO: [Paper Leak Case] Delhi HC Granted Three-month Extension to Conclude the Trial
What is the National Recruitment Agency (NRA)?
Established under the 2020-21 Budget, the NRA was envisioned as an independent body tasked with conducting a Computer-Based Common Eligibility Test (CET) for non-gazetted government positions. Despite its establishment, operational challenges and staffing issues have delayed the commencement of CET screenings.
The Impact of the Anti-Paper Leak Law
Effective from June 21, the anti-paper leak law imposes stringent penalties on individuals engaged in cheating or organized malpractices during public examinations. It empowers examination authorities to enlist the assistance of current or retired government personnel to oversee exams, ensuring adherence to strict procedural norms.
The new anti-paper leak law permits public examination authorities to engage current or retired government employees from various sectors to assist in conducting exams. This move follows the cancellation of the UGC-NET 2024 exam by the Union Education Ministry on June 19, citing potential integrity breaches. Held across 317 cities with participation from over 1.1 million candidates, the matter is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Key Provisions of the Legislation
The law mandates the NRA to develop comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for computer-based tests, covering registration of exam centers, seating arrangements, computer specifications, and robust security measures. These SOPs are crucial in standardizing examination protocols across various central agencies like the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
READ ALSO: [Breaking] Supreme Court Issues Notice To NTA On Pleas Seeking Fresh NEET UG Exam 2024
Enhancing Examination Integrity
With recent incidents, such as the cancellation of the UGC-NET 2024 exam due to suspected breaches, highlighting vulnerabilities in current examination systems, the new law emphasizes prompt action against unfair practices. A designated committee will investigate reported incidents under the scrutiny of a Joint Secretary or equivalent, ensuring transparency and accountability in examination processes.
READ ALSO: NEET-UG 2024 Paper Leak | Medical Aspirants Move Supreme Court Seeking NEET-UG Re-exam
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, represents a watershed moment in India’s efforts to uphold the sanctity of public examinations. By empowering the NRA to establish rigorous examination standards and enforcing severe penalties for malpractices, the law aims to restore trust and fairness in the recruitment process for government positions.
As India continues its journey towards digital transformation in exam conduct, these measures promise a more secure and transparent future for aspiring candidates nationwide.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
