LUCKNOW: CM Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh cabinet cleared an ordinance Tuesday imposing stringent punishments for those involved in exam paper leaks, including a life sentence and fines up to Rs 1 crore for the guilty.
This ordinance is significantly harsher than the current IPC provisions, which prescribe up to one year in jail for cheating, up to two years for forgery, and up to three years for impersonation, each accompanied by fines.The existing Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act provides for three to five years of imprisonment for cheating and five to 10 years, along with a minimum Rs 1 crore fine, for organised exam frauds.
Test expenses to be recovered from solver gangs under UP law
Under the new Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Ordinance, 2024, those responsible for paper leaks leading to exam cancellations will have to pay the costs incurred by govt in conducting the exams.
Apart from mandating recovery of exam expenses from solver gangs, the ordinance authorises permanent blacklisting of involved companies and service providers. It also allows for the attachment of properties and imposes stringent bail conditions for the accused. The ordinance covers public service recruitment, regularisation, promotion exams, and entrance exams for degrees, diplomas, and other courses, a govt spokesperson said.
Distributing fake exam papers and creating bogus employment websites are also punishable under the ordinance, with guilty parties facing a minimum two-year jail term, extending to life imprisonment, and fines of Rs 1 crore.
The move followed controversies surrounding the cancellation of several exams, including NEET-PG and UGC-NET 2024, due to alleged paper leaks. UP govt recently cancelled its police recruitment exams held on Feb 17 and 18, following paper leak allegations, leading to the dismissal of Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Board chairperson Renuka Mishra. Over 48 lakh candidates had taken this exam. UP govt also cancelled the preliminary exam for review officers and assistant review officers amid similar allegations. Investigations are ongoing.
This ordinance is significantly harsher than the current IPC provisions, which prescribe up to one year in jail for cheating, up to two years for forgery, and up to three years for impersonation, each accompanied by fines.The existing Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act provides for three to five years of imprisonment for cheating and five to 10 years, along with a minimum Rs 1 crore fine, for organised exam frauds.
Test expenses to be recovered from solver gangs under UP law
Under the new Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Ordinance, 2024, those responsible for paper leaks leading to exam cancellations will have to pay the costs incurred by govt in conducting the exams.
Apart from mandating recovery of exam expenses from solver gangs, the ordinance authorises permanent blacklisting of involved companies and service providers. It also allows for the attachment of properties and imposes stringent bail conditions for the accused. The ordinance covers public service recruitment, regularisation, promotion exams, and entrance exams for degrees, diplomas, and other courses, a govt spokesperson said.
Distributing fake exam papers and creating bogus employment websites are also punishable under the ordinance, with guilty parties facing a minimum two-year jail term, extending to life imprisonment, and fines of Rs 1 crore.
The move followed controversies surrounding the cancellation of several exams, including NEET-PG and UGC-NET 2024, due to alleged paper leaks. UP govt recently cancelled its police recruitment exams held on Feb 17 and 18, following paper leak allegations, leading to the dismissal of Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Board chairperson Renuka Mishra. Over 48 lakh candidates had taken this exam. UP govt also cancelled the preliminary exam for review officers and assistant review officers amid similar allegations. Investigations are ongoing.
