10-Year Jail Term, Rs 1 Crore Fine: Bihar Passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill Amid NEET Scam

Patna: The Bihar Assembly on Wednesday passed the Bihar Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, aiming to bring more transparency, impartiality, and trustworthiness to the public examination system. This landmark legislation targets unfair practices in competitive examinations, setting stringent penalties to deter misconduct.

The bill stipulates severe punishments, ranging from three to ten years of imprisonment, along with fines up to ₹1 crore for various categories of offenders, including individuals, service providers, and organized groups. Additionally, the proportionate cost of the exam will be recovered from those convicted of cheating or other unfair means.

In order to tackle organized cheating, the bill includes provisions for the attachment and confiscation of property belonging to organized criminals involved in such activities.

The Bihar Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, classifies all related offenses as cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, meaning the parties involved in these cases cannot reach a compromise.

Bihar Education Minister, welcoming the passage of the bill, stated, “This legislation marks a crucial step towards ensuring a fair and transparent examination process in Bihar. It reflects our commitment to maintaining the integrity of public examinations and providing a level playing field for all candidates.”