Himachal Cracks Down on Exam Cheating: New Law Brings Jail and ₹1 Crore Fine
The Himachal Pradesh government has rolled out one of the toughest laws in India to protect the integrity of recruitment exams. The Prevention of Unfair Means in Public Examinations Act, 2025 officially came into force after Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla’s approval, with the Law Department notifying it in the state gazette on Friday.
This landmark legislation makes cheating in government recruitment exams a non-bailable offence, punishable with five to ten years in prison and fines up to ₹1 crore.
What the law means for candidates and agencies
- Candidates caught cheating: Face jail terms of 5–10 years plus a ₹1 crore fine.
- Exam service providers: If found guilty of malpractice, they can be fined up to ₹1 crore, forced to repay exam costs, and banned from handling recruitment exams for four years.
- Agency officials: Directors, managers, or employees involved could face 3–10 years in prison.
- Investigations: Cases will be probed by senior police officers (DSP rank and above) or specialized agencies.
Why this law was needed
The move comes after repeated exam paper leak scandals that shook public trust in the system. The most infamous case involved the Hamirpur Staff Selection Commission, dissolved after widespread corruption was exposed. From junior office assistant (JOA-IT) exams to police recruitment tests, organized networks were found selling question papers, leading to multiple arrests and public outrage.
By enforcing this strict law, the government aims to restore confidence in recruitment exams and ensure that jobs go to deserving candidates, not those who buy their way in.
