Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill tabled on Feb 5 to make leaking question papers punishable.
School exams, college entrance tests and govt job applications, including UPSC, SSC, Railway recruitment and IBPS under purview.
Bill will target organised malpractice by those who leak exam papers, tamper with answer sheets, or collude with govt officials.
Maximum jail term of 10 years and fine of up to ₹1 crore prescribed as punishment for those convicted of the offence.
Police can arrest suspects without warrant, accused will not be entitled to bail, and the case can't be settled outside court.
Probe to be conducted by officer not below the rank of DSP or ACP. Centre can refer investigation to any central agency.
Candidates will not be liable under the new anti-cheating bill, but will remain covered by existing regulations.
A high-level technical committee will make recommendations to make computerised examination processes as secure as possible.
A series of public exams cancelled recently due to alleged paper leaks in Rajasthan, Telangana, Bihar, Haryana and Gujarat.