PM Modi announces fast-track courts, bill to tackle exam paper leaks
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
PM Modi late Thursday announced that the Union Cabinet will discuss a bill to strengthen the anti-cheating law with stricter punishments. He also ordered the establishment of fast-track courts to handle paper leak cases. The announcement comes amid ongoing protests over the NEET paper leak and the government's decision to replace the education secretary.
Background
The NEET-UG 2024 exam faced allegations of a paper leak, leading to protests and demands for a retest. The government conducted a re-exam for 22 lakh students and formed the K Radhakrishnan committee to recommend reforms for the National Testing Agency (NTA). The PMO has been actively engaged with the education ministry on the issue.
Key facts
PM Modi announced that the Union Cabinet will discuss a bill to further strengthen the anti-cheating law on Friday.
Fast-track courts will be established to deal with paper leak cases.
The bill is expected to be moved on Monday, the start of the second week of the current Parliament session.
The government has been working on addressing concerns related to medical entrance exams paper leak for the last two and a half months.
The government conducted exams for 22 lakh students and declared results to ensure no academic year loss.
The education secretary was replaced amid ongoing protests against the NEET paper leak.
The PMO has sent over two dozen queries to the education ministry regarding NEET, retest, and NTA reforms.
The K Radhakrishnan committee is working on NTA reforms.
Prelims pointers
- NEET-UG: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduate medical courses.
- NTA: National Testing Agency, conducts NEET and other entrance exams.
- K Radhakrishnan committee: formed to recommend NTA reforms.
- Fast-track courts: special courts for speedy trial of specific cases.
- Anti-cheating law: likely refers to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024.
Mains angles
- GS2: Issues relating to education, government policies and interventions.
- GS2: Role of judiciary in ensuring speedy justice through fast-track courts.
- GS3: Challenges in conducting fair examinations and measures to prevent malpractices.
- GS4: Ethics in public administration and accountability of regulatory bodies.