PM steps in: Fast-track courts to punish exam leak guilty, tough new law on way, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for those involved in exam paper leaks.
• A new, tough law, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, is being implemented to address such malpractices.
• The fast-track courts will initially focus on pending cases related to the NEET examination paper leak.
• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 came into effect on June 21, 2024.

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Detailed Insights:

• Fast-track courts are to be set up in the High Courts of Bombay (Aurangabad and Nagpur benches), Calcutta, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh (Indore bench) for speedy trials.
• These courts aim for day-to-day hearings to ensure quick justice for students affected by paper leaks.
• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 provides for strict penalties for individuals involved in unfair means, including imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of up to Rs. 10 lakh.
• Service providers found guilty under the Act can face a fine of up to Rs. 1 crore and be barred from conducting public examinations for four years.
• All offenses under this Act are classified as cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, allowing for swift law enforcement action.
• The Act covers examinations conducted by various central bodies, including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Board, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), and the National Testing Agency (NTA).
• The legislation was passed by Parliament in February 2024 and received Presidential assent on February 13, 2024.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Fast-track courts: Special courts established to expedite the judicial process, particularly for specific categories of cases, to reduce backlog and ensure timely justice.
• Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: A comprehensive law enacted in India to deter and penalize malpractices such as paper leaks, cheating, and other unfair means in public examinations.
• National Testing Agency (NTA): An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, responsible for conducting entrance examinations for admission to higher educational institutions.