Sansad TV Perspective: Anti-Copying Law

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: Anti-Copying Law in India

Anchor: Kriti Mishra

Participants:

1. S. Raju, Former Chairman, Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission, Government of Uttarakhand
2. Harshit Mishra, Deputy Advisor, Education, NITI Aayog
3. Sanjay Chadha, Advocate, Supreme Court

Context – The country’s strictest “Anti-Copying Law” has come into force in Uttarakhand. Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh has approved the Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Prevention and Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance 2023.

Anti-Copying Law

In order to conduct fair and cheating-free recruitment examinations, the country’s sternest anti-copying law has come into force in Uttarakhand. This comes after the UKPSC paper leak which led to the cancellation of exams for around 1.4 lakh government job aspirants. The law is to prevent offences related to obstructing the sanctity of the examinations, use of unfair means, leaking of question papers and other irregularities.

Key Provisions of the Law 

• Under the ‘Anti-Copying law’, candidates involved in cheating shall be punished with imprisonment for three years and with a minimum fine of Rs 5 lakhs. If the fine is not paid, the candidate shall be jailed for another nine months.
• A second-time offender will be punished with a minimum jail term of 10 years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh.
• There is a provision to impose a fine of Rs 10 cr. along with life imprisonment or 10 years in jail for the ‘copying mafia’. Apart from this, there is also a provision to attach the property of the copying mafia.

Implementation – The next step for the Government of Uttarakhand is the implementation of the law. Stringent guidelines and SOPs must be adopted through which the law can be implemented. These guidelines are to be followed by different agencies, including the police, involved in conducting the exams. 

Recruitment process through online exams

Online exams are conducted on a computer with no physical question paper. Online exams are gaining popularity with many universities, institutions and competitive examination bodies switching from pen and paper-based tests.

• Online exams, also called CBT (Computer-based Tests) are considered safe and reliable and have minimum risks on the security and cheating front.
• These exams are conducted in centres with adequate infrastructure like computers, stable internet connectivity, etc.
• There are negligible chances of any kind of fraud or cheating in an online exam, and if there is an intervention of any kind it can be detected easily and the guilty punished. 
• Online exams also shorten the timeline of examining the answer sheets and formulating the results.
• Many state governments are rapidly switching from offline to online mode of examinations owing to its benefits, for example, the states of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, etc. 

National Testing Agency (NTA)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an autonomous and self-sustained testing agency set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Department (MHRD) to conduct exams for admission to higher educational institutions. 

• Its objective is to conduct efficient, transparent and international standard tests in order to assess the competency of candidates for admission and recruitment purposes.
• NTA conducts many important examinations through online mode like IIT-JEE, NEET exam, CUET (Central University Entrance Examinations), etc.

Know more about the National Testing Agency in the linked article.

Conclusion – Recurrent paper leaks erode the credibility of the examination system in the country. In order to protect the rights of hardworking youngsters who burn their midnight oil, the “Anti-Copying Act” is a much-awaited step taken by the government of Uttarakhand. The other States/UTs that are facing a similar menace must follow suit. Also, stringent guidelines and SOPs are required to implement the law in letter and spirit.

Read all the previous Sansad TV Perspective articles in the link.

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