Assam Introduces Stringent ‘Examination Bill’ with Severe Penalties for Cheating and Paper Leaks

The Assam cabinet, on the first day of the Budget Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly, presented the ‘Examination Bill,’ aimed at addressing issues in recruitment exams in the state. According to the bill, cheating during examinations could result in a three-year jail term and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. The severity of punishment increases for leaking examination papers, with fines ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 10 crore, along with a prison term of up to 10 years. The legislation applies to all government-conducted exams, including those conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC), Gauhati High Court, State Level Recruitment Commission (SLRC), HSLC, Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC), Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), among others. The introduction of this bill aims to enhance the integrity of the examination system in the state.