Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
Governance / Government Acts and Bills · Saturday, 25 July 2026
Following public outrage over paper leaks in competitive entrance tests such as NEET-UG, the Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The Act is central legislation to curb paper leaks, cheating and organised malpractices in national recruitment and entrance examinations.
Quick highlights
- The Act targets paper leaks, cheating and organised malpractices in national recruitment and entrance examinations.
- It applies to public examinations conducted by bodies such as UPSC, SSC, RRBs, NTA, IBPS and central government departments.
- Unfair means include question paper or answer key leaks, assistance to candidates, computer network tampering, fake portals and falsified merit lists.
- Individuals involved in unfair means face 3 to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine up to ₹10 lakh.
- Service providers can face fines up to ₹1 crore, recovery of examination costs and a 4-year ban from conducting public examinations.
- Offences under the Act are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.
Context
The Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, after public outrage over paper leaks in competitive entrance tests such as NEET-UG.
Key Facts
The Act is central legislation passed by Parliament to curb paper leaks, cheating and organised malpractices in public examinations. It applies to bodies such as UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, National Testing Agency, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection and central government departments and their attached offices.
Significance
The law aims to deter organised syndicates, cheating networks and rogue service providers from compromising examination integrity. It seeks to ensure transparent and merit-based selection for students and job aspirants.
Challenges / Way Forward
The Act provides penalties for individuals, service providers and management personnel, property attachment for institutions or commercial coaching centres involved in organised cheating, and investigation by officers not below DSP or ACP rank, with provision for transfer to agencies such as the CBI.
Exam Angle
Important for prelims under government Acts and Bills and for GS Paper II themes on governance, transparency, accountability, public institutions and examination reforms.
Remember this
- The Act was enacted in 2024.
- It targets public examination paper leaks and organised cheating.
- Covered bodies include UPSC, SSC, RRBs, NTA and IBPS.
- Individual punishment: 3 to 5 years’ imprisonment and fine up to ₹10 lakh.
- Service provider fine can go up to ₹1 crore.
- Service providers may face a 4-year ban from conducting public examinations.
- Organised crime punishment under the Act is 5 to 10 years’ imprisonment and minimum fine of ₹1 crore.
- Offences are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.