Paper leak Bill a milestone, says govt.; Opposition calls it ‘cosmetic exercise’, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to strengthen the existing anti-paper leak law.
• The Bill proposes stricter penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, for those involved in unfair means in public examinations.
• It aims to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was enacted to curb malpractices in national recruitment and entrance examinations.
• Provisions include the establishment of Special Fast Track Courts for speedy justice, with investigations to be completed within two months and trials within three months.
• The Centre will also be empowered to refer investigations to a Special Task Force.

Detailed Insights:

• The government considers the amendment a "milestone" legislation, reaffirming its commitment to safeguard students' welfare and deter organized examination-related crimes.
• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, was India's first dedicated national law against paper leaks and malpractices, coming into effect on June 21, 2024.
• The Opposition criticized the Bill as a "cosmetic exercise" and an "admission of failure," questioning the effectiveness of the 2024 law.
• The 2024 Act defines "unfair means" comprehensively, including leaking exam papers, tampering with answer sheets, and obstructing exams.
• The Opposition also raised concerns about the National Testing Agency (NTA), questioning the implementation of recommendations from the K. Radhakrishnan committee.
• The K. Radhakrishnan committee, formed after the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, submitted 101 recommendations in October 2024 to reform the NTA and strengthen examination security.
• The NTA is an autonomous organization established in 2017 to conduct entrance examinations for higher educational institutions, aiming for transparency and efficiency.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: Central legislation enacted to prevent and penalize malpractices in public examinations across India.
• Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026: Proposed legislation to strengthen the 2024 Act with stricter penalties and faster judicial processes.
• National Testing Agency (NTA): An autonomous Indian government agency responsible for conducting entrance examinations for admission to higher educational institutions.
• Special Fast Track Courts: Dedicated judicial bodies established for the expedited resolution of specific types of cases, in this context, related to examination malpractices.