Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Bill, 2024| Indepth | Drishti IAS English

Summary

The video script discusses the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, presented in the Lok Sabha to curb cheating in competitive exams. It highlights the background of the bill, its features, and the implications for examination authorities. The bill aims to enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in the examination system by defining 'unfair means' and prescribing penalties for offenses, including imprisonment and fines. It also addresses the impact on the mental health of aspirants and the importance of a fair examination process.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Unfair Means Bill 2024 has been presented in the Lok Sabha to curb unfair practices in competitive exams.
• 🚫 The bill aims to prevent cheating in exams by imposing penalties for those involved in unfair means, including the cancellation of papers.
• 🔍 There has been a significant increase in reported cases of question paper leaks over the past decade, with around 50 instances in the last five years alone.
• 👮‍♂️ The bill proposes strict legal consequences for those found guilty of unfair means, including imprisonment and fines.
• 🏛️ The bill provides a legal framework to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in the competitive examination system.
• 📝 The bill defines 'public examination' and 'unfair means' and outlines the offenses and penalties associated with their misuse.
• 🏢 The legislation covers five public examination authorities in India, including UPSC, SSC, RRB, IBPS, and NTA, which conduct various competitive exams.
• 🚨 The bill makes it clear that any person found using unfair means in competitive exams will be arrested and will not be bailable.
• 🛑 The bill seeks to put an end to organized paper leaks, which have been a persistent issue affecting the integrity of competitive exams.
• 📉 The cancellation of exams due to leaks has a negative impact on the mental health and aspirations of the candidates, potentially affecting the lives of millions of applicants.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024?

The main focus of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 is to prevent cheating in competitive exams by establishing legal provisions and penalties for those involved in unfair means during exams.

What are the implications of the unfair means used in competitive exams as mentioned in the script?

The implications of unfair means in competitive exams include the cancellation of exams, the extension of the overall exam cycle, negative impacts on the mental health of aspirants, and affecting the lives of approximately 1.5 million applicants for about 1.2 lakh posts.

How has the government addressed the issue of question paper leaks in the past?

In the past, the government has addressed the issue of question paper leaks by cancelling the exams and rescheduling them, which has led to an extended exam cycle and financial implications for the agencies involved.

What are the key features of the Bill that are aimed at enhancing the examination process?

The key features of the Bill include the prescription of punishment for unfair means, the establishment of a legal framework to deal with such offenses, and the introduction of measures to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in the competitive examination system.

What is the significance of legal backing for the provisions prescribed in the Bill?

The legal backing for the provisions prescribed in the Bill is significant as it ensures that there is a specific law to deal with unfair means in competitive exams, thereby enhancing the credibility and trust in the examination process.

How does the Bill propose to deal with the organized paper leaks?

The Bill proposes to deal with organized paper leaks by making it a cognizable and non-bailable offense, which means that the police can arrest the offenders without a warrant, and the offenders cannot be released on bail easily.

What are the penalties for individuals found guilty of using unfair means in competitive exams according to the Bill?

The penalties for individuals found guilty of using unfair means in competitive exams include imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, and in the case of organized paper leaks, imprisonment for up to ten years and a fine.

How does the Bill define 'Public Examination' and 'Unfair Means'?

The Bill defines 'Public Examination' as any examination conducted by a public examination authority, and 'Unfair Means' as any action that a candidate uses to gain an unfair advantage in the examination, including the use of fake websites, fake admit cards, and other indirect assistance.

What are the current public examination authorities in India as per the script?

The current public examination authorities in India include UPSC, SSC, RRB, IBPS, NTS Agency, and IITs, which conduct examinations for civil services, group B and C posts, railway recruitment, banking personnel selection, and engineering and medical entrance exams respectively.

How does the Bill aim to prevent the misuse of unfair means in the future?

The Bill aims to prevent the misuse of unfair means in the future by prescribing specific actions as unfair means, establishing strict penalties for such actions, and ensuring that the examination process is conducted in a transparent and credible manner.

What is the potential impact of the Bill on the mental health of aspirants and the overall examination system?

The potential impact of the Bill on the mental health of aspirants is that it could reduce the stress and anxiety associated with exam leaks and unfair practices, thereby promoting a fair and healthy examination environment. The overall examination system is expected to gain in credibility and trust among the public.