Exam Paper Leaks in India: A Crisis Demanding Urgent Reforms

Exam paper leaks in India disrupt academic integrity and jeopardize student futures, necessitating urgent reforms to restore trust and fairness in the education system. India has unfortunately become known as the world capital of exam paper leaks. According to media reports, in the last seven years, papers for more than 70 examinations have been leaked in different states, affecting the careers of about 20 million youth. A single incident of leaked question papers and cancelled exams can shatter the dreams of countless students. Major states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Gujarat are particularly affected by exam leaks.

On May 5, 2024, around 2.4 million candidates across India sat for the NEET-2024 (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test). The NEET-2024 controversy mirrors previous events but with a much larger scale of student outrage. Sixty-seven students topped the exam, leading to a new tie-breaking criterion for admission to prestigious institutions like AIIMS-Delhi: preference is given to the candidate who filled out the application first if all other criteria are equal. The concept of grace marks was introduced to compensate for time lost due to the paper leak, but medical and engineering exams were categorically excluded from this adjustment. Despite comparable difficulty, the rise in merit has been astonishingly high.

Reasons Behind Paper Leaks in India

1. Corruption: Corrupt individuals within the system play a significant role.
2. Low Surveillance and Security: Insufficient monitoring and security measures.
3. Improper Paper Distribution: Flawed paper distribution systems.
4. Lack of Clear Rules and Responsibilities: Inadequate adherence to rules and guidelines, along with a lack of accountability.
5. Inadequate Involvement of Government and Police: Insufficient involvement of government officials and law enforcement.

The central agency has registered six FIRs in the NEET paper leak case. Both accused allegedly provided safe premises for aspirants before the examination, where they were given leaked papers and answer keys. In a sting operation conducted by India Today, Bijender Gupta revealed detailed insights into the racket and how the NEET scam unfolded. Key accused Sanjeev Mukhiya, who is currently on the run, targeted 700 students, aiming to make Rs 200-300 crore.

The paper mafia in India typically involves organized networks that corruptly acquire and distribute exam papers for financial gain. Police investigations have revealed that significant amounts of money are involved in these incidents. Government officials, teachers, and even printing press personnel have been implicated. Exams are often rescheduled long after a reported paper leak, which lowers the morale of aspirants and affects their future. In some cases, exams were conducted nearly a year after the leak occurred, and in six cases, candidates had to wait for two years. In 11 cases, candidates are still waiting for a resolution. The delay in rescheduling the UPTET exam from 2021 due to a leak has caused significant uncertainty and frustration among applicants. In Gujarat and other states, students have had to wait up to two years for their exams to be rescheduled.

Political Slugfest Over Paper Leaks

The medical entrance exam NEET-UG has become the center of controversy, with several irregularities and allegations. From students demanding a re-NEET, a plea for a CBI probe, grace marks, and paper leaks, to a political slugfest. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the Narendra Modi government over alleged irregularities in national competitive exams, including NEET-UG. She claimed the government has “handed over” the entire education system to the “mafia” and the “corrupt.” RJD MP Manoj Jha linked “NEET corruption” with elections, alleging proximity between those named for paper leaks and leaders of JD(U) and BJP.

The allegations surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 primarily involve question paper leaks. There have been claims of certain questions being circulated before the exam, giving some candidates an unfair advantage. This has led to calls for investigations and the cancellation of related exams. The situation remains contentious, and authorities are working to address the issues. The controversy erupted after the NTA released NEET-UG 2024 results amidst allegations of a paper leak and concerns over inflated marks for some candidates. The NTA implemented grace marks for candidates who experienced time loss during the exam, following a Supreme Court directive. The Education Minister denied the allegations, stating that no evidence of a paper leak was found while emphasizing accountability and transparency in the NTA’s operations. The NEET-UG retest for 1,563 candidates who received grace marks was conducted on June 23, 2024, with NTA and Union education ministry officials present at the examination centers. Investigative reports revealed 48 instances of paper leaks in 16 states over the last five years, affecting around 15.1 million applicants for approximately 120,000 job posts.

Anti-Paper Leak Law

The Centre introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024 to curb leaks and malpractices in recruitment examinations like UPSC, SSC, and entrance tests such as NEET, JEE, and CUET. It includes provisions for a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment for cheating and five to ten years for organized cheating, along with hefty fines. This legislation aims to prevent unauthorized access, leakage, and other fraudulent activities in public examinations, ensuring a fair and secure testing process amidst growing scandals. The bill prescribes a jail term of three to five years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh for individuals involved in unfair practices like impersonation, paper solving, and failing to report exam fraud. Section 9 of the bill states that all offences shall be cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, meaning arrests can be made without a warrant, and bail is not a matter of right, rather a magistrate will determine whether the accused is fit to be released on bail. The cabinet approved the proposal to implement the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Unfair Means and Paper Leak in Public Examinations ordinance, which stipulates life imprisonment for those who leak question papers of government examinations, along with a fine of Rs 1 crore.

Consequences for Students

Many students and parents have lost faith in the NEET exam, leading them to consider foreign medical universities for a fair and transparent admission process. Students in India already suffer from increased stress and anxiety due to peer pressure, parental pressure, and academic pressure to perform well in exams. The intense competition, with thousands of students competing for very few seats, only exacerbates this pressure. They spend months preparing for these exams, and incidents like paper leaks can deter their confidence and disrupt their plans. Exam outcomes determine future career paths, and when exams are leaked, it undermines this process, making admission to prestigious universities and securing scholarships and job opportunities more difficult.

The financial impact of such cancellations is significant, as students often have to travel long distances to examination centers. The cancellation of exams can severely dent students’ motivation and morale. The idea that unethical behaviour can disrupt and devalue their honest effort is deeply demoralizing. This can lead to students questioning the value of hard work and integrity, potentially losing interest in their studies or future exams. The tendency to move to foreign countries for education may even increase due to this.

Urgent reforms are needed to restore trust in the education system and ensure fairness for all students. The implementation of stricter laws, better security measures, and greater accountability is essential to address the issue of exam paper leaks in India.

For more such interesting blogs, visit: https://vichaardhara.co.in/