A supervisor (second right) gives instructions to candidates taking an exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for National Defence Academy and Naval academy candidates following the measures against the Covid-19 coronavirus, at Sheth C. N. Vidyalaya school in Ahmedabad, India, September 6, 2020. (PHOTO / AFP)

NEW DELHI - The Indian federal government has decided to frame a new law to check leaks of examination papers for recruitment of personnel in central and state governments.

A new bill to this effect was introduced in the parliament on Monday.

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Introducing "The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024", Minister for Personnel Jitendra Singh said that the new law would cover entrance examinations held by the Union Public Service Commission, the Staff Selection Commission, the Indian Railways, banking recruitment examinations and all computer-based examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency.

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Over the years, leaks of question papers for recruitment in government jobs has been a huge problem, as it has affected the interests of hundreds of thousands of students due to cancellation of several tests and examinations. Organized gangs were found to be involved in leaking the question papers and other malpractices.

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The bill also proposed a punishment of a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment to curb cheating, and for those involved in organized crimes of cheating would face five to 10 years of imprisonment, and a minimum monetary fine of 10 million Indian rupees (around $120,395).

Till date there was no law to prevent such malpractices, or persons involved in leaking question papers for government recruitment examinations.