Budget Session 2024: Government to present bill aimed at tackling exam malpractices
The Parliament's Budget Session commenced on January 31, 2024, featuring the inaugural address by President Droupadi Murmu in the newly constructed Parliament Building. Emphasizing the Modi government's accomplishments and India's achievements, the President set the tone for the session. Today, on the second day of the Budget Session, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Interim Budget 2024. In addition to the budget, the government is expected to introduce crucial legislation, including a bill aimed at addressing exam malpractices in the country.
In a major step aimed at checking entrance exam-related malpractices, the Centre is slated to bring a bill in the budget session of Parliament to effectively deter persons, organized groups or institutions that indulge in unfair means and adversely impact the public examination systems for wrongful gains. According to a report, the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill will have stringent provisions against malpractices. Students in several states have suffered in the past due to examinations getting cancelled for malpractices including paper leaks.
The proposed legislation, focused on competitive and entrance exams, involves the establishment of a high-level technical committee to address cyber security issues in public examinations. The bill contemplates a significant increase in penalties for malpractices, potentially leading to a 10-year imprisonment and a Rs 1 Crore fine; these offenses may be deemed non-bailable. It's important to note that the bill is not directed at students and is anticipated to be introduced by the government in the Parliament.
According to insider information, the bill aims to enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examination systems, assuring young individuals that their sincere efforts will be justly acknowledged and their futures safeguarded. The proposed Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill will encompass examinations conducted by entities like the UPSC, Staff Selection Commission, and entrance tests like NEET and JEE. Genuine candidates and students, as defined in the bill, will not face consequences covered by the legislation.
Currently, there is no dedicated national legislation addressing unfair practices or offenses affecting the administration of public examinations by the Central Government and its affiliated agencies. As is customary, the primary emphasis during the Budget Session remains on the budget presentation. This marks the sixth consecutive occasion where Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget before the Parliament.
