HP Assembly passes Strict Law against Paper Leaks, Cheating in Exams
Shimla, Sept 2,
Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday passed the Himachal Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2025, bringing in strict measures to curb paper leaks and malpractices in recruitment examinations.
The legislation, introduced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday, was passed unanimously by voice vote without any opposition or discussion. The new law makes offences related to paper leaks, organized cheating, and other unfair means in public examinations cognizable and non-bailable.
Under the provisions of the bill, anyone found guilty of cheating, abetting cheating, or leaking papers will face a minimum of three years and up to five years imprisonment along with a fine of up to ₹10 lakh. Both punishment and fine can also be imposed simultaneously.
In cases where service providers are found guilty of malpractice, the law provides for a penalty of up to ₹1 crore. Additionally, all expenses incurred on such examinations will be recovered from them, and they will be barred for four years from conducting any recruitment test. Directors or employees of such service providers could face imprisonment between three and ten years if found complicit.
The government has also specified that only officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and above will be authorized to investigate such cases. Moreover, the state will have the power to hand over probes to specialized investigating agencies.
The law has been introduced against the backdrop of several paper leak scandals in the state, including the police recruitment exam scam that led to the suspension of the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission in December 2022 and its subsequent dissolution in February 2023.
The Sukhu government said the legislation aims to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in recruitment processes, while safeguarding the future of lakhs of aspirants.
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