10 years imprisonment, Rs 1 Cr fine for leaking the question paper

A Bill to prevent malpractices in competitive exams submitted in the Legislative Assembly

Mumbai – In response to growing concerns over exam paper leaks, the Maharashtra Government presented the “Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024” in the state legislative assembly on 5^thJuly. The Bill introduced by Minister Shambhuraj Desai, seeks to prevent malpractices in competitive examinations and imposes strict penalties on offenders. A punishment of up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 crore has been provided for those who leak the question paper.

Direct or indirect participation of an y candidate, by himself or by any other person, in the competitive examination or unauthorized use of any written, unwritten, copied, printed material, material obtained from electronic devices or unfair means in the examination, taking unauthorized assistance, using any unauthorized electronic or mechanical device or device etc. shall be liable to punishment.

Under the Bill, the offences related to the conduct of competitive examinations shall be cognisable, non-bailable and non compoundable. According to the Bill, those found indulging in unfair means and offences in the conduct of competitive examinations shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than three years, which may be extended to five years and with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. In case of default of payment of fine, anmadditional punishment of imprisonment shall be imposed as per provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.