Crackdown on Exam Leaks: New Law Imposes Harsh Penalties Amid NEET Controversy

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 - the anti-paper leak law for examinations for central recruitment and entrance into central educational institutions came into effect on Friday

The Act, 2024, was passed in February—by the Lok Sabha on February 6 and the Rajya Sabha on February 9.

Those involved in organised crimes of cheating will face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.

The move assumes significance amid a raging row over the cancellation of the 2024 University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) It was cancelled just a day after across 317 cities.

The officials said that the exam’s provisional answer key, in all probability, will only be released next week. After which, the agency will take “a week to 10 days” to release the final results.