Yogi Government to Introduce Tough Law Against Paper Leaks

The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh is set to introduce the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations Ordinance 2024 in response to recent paper leaks in major exams. Approved by the state cabinet, the ordinance includes stringent measures such as life imprisonment and fines up to ₹1 crore for those guilty of exam malpractice. It covers public service recruitment, promotion exams, and entrance tests for degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

Key provisions include harsh penalties for distributing fake question papers and creating counterfeit employment websites. The law allows for property attachment and makes all offences cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by the sessions court. It also stipulates strict bail conditions.

This move follows paper leaks in the UP Police Constable Recruitment Exam and the UPPSC preliminary recruitment examination for review officers and assistant review officers. With the UP assembly not in session, the government has opted for the ordinance route to address these issues urgently.

This ordinance comes amid scrutiny of several national-level competitive exams, including NEET-UG, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC NET, and NEET-PG, all facing allegations of paper leaks and irregularities.