Assam Proposes Strict Exam Cheating Law: 5 Years Jail and 10 Lakh Fine

Assam Proposes Strict Exam Cheating Law: 5 Years Jail and 10 Lakh Fine

VoM News Desk | February 5, 2024 | 09:48 PM IST | Assam, Educational News, India | Follow on Google News

Assam Proposes Strict Exam Cheating Law: 5 Years Jail and 10 Lakh Fine/ndtv

Assam Proposes Strict Exam Cheating Law: 5 Years Jail and 10 Lakh Fine

Assam is on the brink of becoming the first state in India to introduce robust laws to curb cheating in public exams. The state government’s proposed Assam Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of unfair Means in Recruitment) Bill, 2024 suggests a minimum punishment of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 lakh. The ambit of this legislation extends not only to examinees but also to authorities conducting exams. The bill outlines severe penalties, including imprisonment of five to ten years and fines ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Additionally, separate courts will be designated to address cases involving exam paper leaks.

Wide-Ranging Accountability: Examinees and Authorities Included

The proposed bill covers a broad spectrum of individuals, encompassing examinees and those responsible for exam administration. Examinees found guilty of cheating face a three-year jail term and a Rs 1 lakh fine. Failure to pay the fine leads to an additional two years in jail. Moreover, individuals convicted under this law are barred from participating in any public exams for two years. Institutions found guilty of malpractice can face a permanent ban. Police officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendents will investigate complaints.

Strict Measures for Conducting Exams: A Ten-Year Jail Term for Wrongdoing

The bill explicitly identifies potential wrongdoings by those conducting exams, such as leaking, procuring, selling, printing, or solving question papers in an unauthorized manner. Individuals engaged in such activities could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of Rs 10 crore. While Assam has not gained notoriety comparable to Bihar or Jharkhand in cheating cases, the state’s proactive approach seeks to address malpractices and enhance the integrity of public exams. In 2022, parts of Assam experienced a four-hour shutdown of cellphone internet during exams for third-and-fourth-grade posts.

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