Do you know how serious is the problem of paper leaks in India? This is not just a flaw in the examination system, but a big issue that is shattering the dreams of millions of youth.
Recently, on January 28, the third paper of Combined Graduate Level Examination conducted by Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission was leaked. After this the Commission had canceled the General Knowledge exam.
However, this is not the first time this has happened in Jharkhand. Last year also the Commission’s Diploma Competition Exam papers were leaked in Jharkhand. When investigated, only people from the exam taking agency were found involved.
Despite strict laws in the state, the accused are fearless.
Despite strict laws in Jharkhand to prevent paper leaks and copying, such cases keep coming to the fore. To stop paper leaks, a new law was made in Jharkhand, its name is ‘Jharkhand Competitive Examination Act 2023’. Under this law, if any competitor is found leaking the paper, then there is a provision to impose a minimum punishment of 10 years and maximum life imprisonment to a fine of Rs 10 crore.
Paper leaks and those spreading misleading information about any competitive exam also come under the purview of this law. In this, persons conducting exams, agencies, printing press and people involved in conspiracy also come under its purview.
How many people’s future is in limbo?
In recent years, incidents of paper leaks have increased continuously in India, which leads to cancellation of exams and is having a deep impact on the future of students. According to media reports, in the seven years from 2017-2023, more than 70 cases of paper leaks were reported in different states and more than 1.5 crore students were affected.
- Bihar Board’s 10th exam paper has been leaked 6 times.
- State board exam papers were leaked at least 10 times in West Bengal.
- The papers of class 10th and 12th board exams in 2022 were leaked in Tamil Nadu.
- In Rajasthan, 12 examinations for government jobs from 2018 to 2022 were cancelled.
How many states affected due to paper leak?
Paper leaking is not limited to school board exams only, but also happens on a large scale in competitive examinations conducted by many state public service commissions. Rajasthan has been in the news for paper leaks in the last few years. Here, between 2015 and 2023, more than 14 cases of paper leak of many competitive exams were seen, after which the exams had to be cancelled.
Gujarat is also not behind in this saga of paper leaks. 14 incidents of paper leak have been seen here in seven years. In some incidents of paper leak from Gujarat..
- GPSC Chief Officer (2014)
- Talati Exam (2015)
- Teachers Aptitude Test (2018)
- Main Sevika (2018)
- Naib Chitnis (2018)
- Lok Rakshak Dal (2018)
- Non Secretariat Clerk (2019)
- Head Clerk (2021)
- Junior Clerk Exam (2023)
- Forest Guard Exam (2022)
- And Sub-Auditor Paper (2021).
At least eight incidents of paper leak were seen in Uttar Pradesh between 2017 and 2022, including…
- Inspectors Online Recruitment Test (2017)
- Teacher Eligibility Test (2021)
- Preliminary Eligibility Test (2021)
- B.Ed Joint Entrance Exam (2021)
- NEET-UG Exam (2021)
- And class 12th board exam (2022) is included.
Apart from this, similar paper leak cases have also been reported in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar and Haryana. The continuous incidents of paper leaks in these states not only point towards corruption but also highlight the flaws in the education system.
Where is the law against the culprits of paper leak?
State governments have made strict laws against those found guilty of paper leak and copying. In Rajasthan, there is a provision for minimum punishment of 10 years and maximum life imprisonment. Besides, a fine of at least Rs 10 lakh to Rs 10 crore can also be imposed. If the culprit does not pay the fine, he has to spend two more years in jail.
In Uttarakhand also there is a provision of life imprisonment against paper leak and copying. A provision of minimum 10 years in jail and a fine ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 10 crore has been made. Also this law is non-bailable.
In Gujarat, there is a provision of punishment of 3 to 10 years against the culprits of paper leak. A fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore is imposed. At the same time, students who buy papers can also be punished for 2 to 10 years. Those accused of paper leak do not get bail.
In Haryana, culprits can face seven to ten years in jail and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Not only this, there is also a provision to compensate for the loss by auctioning their property. Students caught cheating can also be fined Rs 5,000 and imprisoned for 2 years.
The Central Government is strict to deal with paper leaks
The Central Government is also preparing to bring a law to deal with paper leaks. To curb paper leaks, the Central Government can introduce a new bill in the Lok Sabha on 5th February. The Union Cabinet had recently approved this bill.
In the new bill, there can be a provision of maximum 10 years in jail and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore for those found guilty of paper leak. The name of this bill is Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024.
The special thing is that the proposed bill has not targeted students in any way. There is no provision for any punishment or fine for students. Rather, the syndicate that sells papers unfairly to students will be tightened. Strict action will be taken against the mafia and those found involved in the conspiracy. In this way, the hard work of lakhs of eligible students seeking government jobs will not go waste and their future will be secure.
