Anti-Paper Leak Bill Passed in Rajya Sabha Amid Opposition Walkout
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, aimed at curbing paper leaks and cheating in government exams, was passed in the Rajya Sabha on February 7, 2025, after being cleared by the Lok Sabha. The bill now awaits the President's assent to become law. Its passage is significant as it introduces stringent penalties, including up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 crore, for organized cheating and paper leaks.
Background
The bill was introduced in response to widespread protests over recurring paper leaks in exams like NEET-UG and UGC-NET, which disrupted the recruitment and admission process. The government argued that existing laws were insufficient to deter organized malpractices. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2025, and in the Rajya Sabha on February 7, 2025, despite opposition walkout demanding it be sent to a select committee.
Key facts
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 was passed in the Rajya Sabha on February 7, 2025, after being passed in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2025.
The bill aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations conducted by central government bodies like UPSC, SSC, and NEET.
Offenses under the bill include paper leaks, impersonation, tampering with answer sheets, and leaking confidential exam material.
Penalties for organized cheating include imprisonment of 3-10 years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.
Service providers involved in exam conduct can be fined up to ₹1 crore and barred from conducting exams for 4 years.
The bill provides for a higher education institution to bear the cost of re-examination if found guilty of malpractice.
Offenses are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, and can be investigated by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or above.
The opposition walked out of the Rajya Sabha demanding the bill be sent to a select committee, but the government pushed it through.
The bill will become law after receiving the President's assent.
The bill does not cover state-level exams, which are under state jurisdiction.
Prelims pointers
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024
- Passed in Lok Sabha: February 5, 2025
- Passed in Rajya Sabha: February 7, 2025
- Penalty: 3-10 years imprisonment, fine up to ₹1 crore
- Cognizable, non-bailable, non-compoundable offenses
- Investigation by officers of rank Deputy SP or above
- Service providers: fine up to ₹1 crore, 4-year ban
- Re-examination cost borne by guilty institution
- Does not cover state-level exams
- Awaiting President's assent
Mains angles
- Discuss the effectiveness of the Anti-Paper Leak Bill in addressing the systemic issue of exam malpractices in India.
- Critically examine the provisions of the bill in light of concerns about over-criminalization and impact on service providers.
- Analyze the need for a uniform national law to cover state-level exams and the federal challenges involved.
- Evaluate the role of technology and administrative reforms in preventing paper leaks alongside legal measures.