Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Union Means) Bill, 2024, in Lok Sabha. He mentioned that the leakage of question paper or answer key, directly or indirectly, and tampering with the computer network, computer resource, or computer system will be punishable offenses done by a person, group, or institution.
Any person found guilty (leaking paper or tampering with answers) will receive a minimum of 3 years jail time which be extended to 5 years with a fine up to Rs 10 lakh. Service providers who don’t report will also be fined 10 lakh. Those found guilty of organized crime of paper leak will receive a jail term of 5-10 years and a fine of Rs 1 crore. All offenses under this bill shall be cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. 
Objective of the Bill
The bill is introduced to bring more transparency and fairness to public examinations and to reassure the youth who are putting in genuine and sincere effort that their future is safe. It aims to discourage and warn people or groups who are indulging in these unfair means for monetary or wrongful gains.
The unfair means mentioned under the bill are –
- Question paper or answer key leaks or collision with others to the same.
- Having possession of question paper or OMR sheet without any authority, and helping other candidates to cheat during examination both directly or indirectly.
- Tampering with answer paper including OMR response sheet, or with computer systems or computer networks.
- Manipulation in seating arrangements, or allocation of dates and shifts for the candidates to facilitate unfair means in examinations.
- Deliberate violation of security measures, or violation of norms or standards set up by the central government.
The bill must clear Parliament and receive President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to become law and to make recommendations, a high-level technical committee will be formed. This recommendation will include foolproof IT security systems, surveillance of exam centers, or minimum standards of physical and digital infrastructure for all exams.
Examinations covered by the bill are –
- Union Public Service Commission
- Staff Selection Commission
- Railway Recruitment Boards
- Institute of Banking Personnel Selection
- National Testing Agency
