Amid ongoing street protests against alleged malpractices in the NEET entrance and UGC-NET exams, opposition parties are directing criticism towards the government, pledging robust parliamentary action on the issue. A heated public discourse now revolves around attributing responsibility for dashing the dreams of millions and imperiling countless futures.
A paramount concern shared across stakeholders, including the Narendra Modi government, undoubtedly centers on dismantling the well-established paper-leak industry.
Over the past seven years, question papers for no fewer than 70 examinations have reportedly been leaked, disrupting the plans of 17 million applicants.
The competitive examination framework dating back to the 1990s needs recalibration in light of technological advancements since 2010.
Recently, the central government introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aimed at curbing malpractices in public exams and common entrance tests nationwide. While stringent, this legislation alone may not suffice.
Effective measures against the paper-leak menace necessitate concerted efforts by individual states, particularly as the issue appears most rampant in state-conducted exams. Local initiatives are crucial in combating the paper-leak syndicates, complemented by technological interventions.
Furthermore, as a society, there's a need for introspection regarding the demand dynamics fueling paper leaks.
NON-BAILABLE PROVISION IN NEW ANTI-CHEATING LAW
In a bid to break the cycle of paper leaks and restore stakeholder trust, the Narendra Modi government enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024 in February.
"The legislation aims to safeguard the merit of our youth and protect our children's future," remarked Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh in Parliament.
The Act stipulates strict penalties, including a minimum of three to five years' imprisonment for cheating and five to ten years plus a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore for organized cheating crimes.
This pioneering law treats such offences as cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.
Describing the new law as "a significant step forward," Mohit Kumar Tyagi, CEO of Competishun, an online exam preparation platform, emphasized its potential to reduce the financial burden on the government caused by exam rescheduling due to leaks.
Supreme Court advocate Anubha Shrivastava Sahai echoed this sentiment, highlighting the Act's role in preventing early release of convicts, a concern often seen in previous cases under the Indian Penal Code.
ROLE OF STATES IN CURBING PAPER LEAKS
Months after its passage, the central government formally notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024 last Friday.
However, while the law covers exams conducted by central agencies like UPSC, SSC, NTA, RRB, and IBPS, it excludes state-level bodies such as BPSC and RSSC.
"This omission is critical since most paper leaks and malpractices stem from state exams," noted advocate Anubha Shrivastava Sahai.
Thus, the onus now lies with the states.
"It remains to be seen if states, as custodians of education, will adopt and implement this central legislation," she added.
Amid the contentious NET-NEET issue, the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated steps to combat the entrenched paper-leak industry.
Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership, the state plans to introduce stringent laws to curb paper leaks and crackdown on "solver gangs," with provisions including hefty fines, property demolition, and imprisonment.
EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION AND LOCALIZED STRATEGIES TO COMBAT PAPER LEAKS
While the enactment of the law is a crucial milestone, experts advocate fine-tuning the anti-cheating framework and exploring supplementary measures to safeguard India's examination system against malpractice.
"Legislation alone won't suffice; its effective implementation is paramount," stressed Anubha Shrivastava Sahai, also President of India Wide Parents Association.
"Empowering education bodies and local officials, particularly at the district level, is essential," she added.
Experts suggest various corrective actions, including prompt rescheduling of postponed exams to uphold merit and streamlined grievance redressal mechanisms accessible even in remote areas.
Moreover, enhancing invigilator training and deploying AI and data analytics can enhance exam process transparency and security.
"To bolster efficacy, authorities might consider engaging ethical hackers to identify and rectify system vulnerabilities," proposed Mohit Kumar Tyagi of Competishun.
"Incentivizing informants who report potential leaks can also bolster vigilance among all stakeholders," he added.
With the new anti-unfair means law now in effect, its success will hinge on achieving its objectives and setting a benchmark for states to follow, adapting to evolving educational needs.
