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The Public Examinations Act, 2024

  • 22 Jun 2024

On June 21st, 2024, the Centre operationalized a stringent law, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 four months after President Dropadi Murmu gave assent to it. The law aims to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations.

Key Points

  • The provisions of the law will come into force from 21st June 2024.
  • The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 9th February 2024. The Lok Sabha passed the law on 6th February 2024.
  • President Murmu gave approval to the bill on 12th February 2024, turning it into a law.
  • The Act aims to prevent unfair means in the public examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the railways, banking recruitment examinations and the National Testing Agency (NTA) among others.
  • It has provisions for a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment to curb cheating and those involved in organised crimes of cheating will face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.
  • The Act is aimed at preventing organised gangs and institutions that are involved in unfair means for monetary gains and protects candidates from its provision.