Lok Sabha Question No. 186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Exam Scams
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 186 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Exam Scams

## 186. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the  Government has  any data regarding the  competitive  exam  scams  across the country since 2014, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  observed  that  such  competitive  exam  scams  put  extreme mental pressure on the aspirants and their families due to these competitive exams, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is planning to go for online conduct of competitive entrance/recruitment examinations from the present pen and paper mode, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  transparency  in  conducting  of  competitive entrance/recruitment examinations in the country; and
- (e) the  details  of  funds  allocated  for  higher  education  institutions  of  the  state  of  Kerala particularly for Kozhikode district?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) Competitive Examinations are conducted for Admission to Educational Institutions as well as for Recruitment.  These  examinations  are  conducted  by  different bodies. Data  regarding Examination specific incidents is not centrally maintained in the Ministry.

(b) to (d) As a deterrence to unfair means in public examinations, the Central Government has enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024. This Act has come into force w.e.f. 21st June, 2024 and Rules have also been notified thereunder on 23rd June, 2024. Examinations are conducted in Computer Based Mode (C.B.T.) or Pen and Paper mode from time  to  time  depending  on  requirements  and  availability  of  infrastructure  commensurating  the number  of  candidates.  Many  examinations  including  JEE(Main)  for  admission  to  NITs,  IIITs, CFTIs,  etc.;  JEE(Advanced)  for  admission  for  IITs;  CAT  for  admission  to  IIMs,  CUET(PG)  for admission to  post  graduate  courses  in  all  Central  Universities  as  well  as  in  other  participating Universities etc. are already being conducted in C.B.T. mode. As part of transparent dealing with candidates, the scheme  of examination, norms and guidelines, procedure/processes of competitive examinations conducted by Government through its various bodies are announced through advertisement, Information Bulletin, Public Notices etc.

The Ministry of Education has constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts on 22.6.24 to suggest effective measures for transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations by the National Testing Agency. The Committee  shall make  recommendations  on Reforms in mechanism of examination process, Improvement in Data Security protocols and Structure and functioning of National Testing Agency and shall submit its Report in two months.

(e) IIIT under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode namely IIIT Kottayam was established in the year 2015 in the State of Kerala.  In the PPP Scheme, the capital cost for establishment of IIIT Kottayam is Rs. 128.00 crore which is to be contributed in the ratio of 50:35:15 by the Central Government, the State Government, and the industry respectively.  In addition, Rs. 10.00 crore for recurring expenditure is provided by the Central Government.  Total share amount of GoI i.e. Rs. 74.00 crore (Rs.10.00 cr.-Recurring expenditure and Rs. 64.00 cr. non-recurring expenditure) has already been released to IIIT(PPP) Kottayam up-to year 2020-21.

Out  of  31  NITs  functioning  in  the  Country,  one  NIT  is  functioning  at  Calicut  in  the  Kozhikode district  of  Kerala  State.    The  funds  released  to  NIT,  Calicut  during  2023-24  are  to  the  tune  of 261.19 crores. Besides, Central University of Kerala was established at Kasaragod in 2009 by an Act of Parliament.  The total funds released to Central University of Kerala during 2023-24 are Rs.  96.42  Crore  (Rs.  81.75  crore  through  UGC  +14.67  crore  as  HEFA  fund).  In  addition,  the funds released to IISER, Thiruvananthapuram and IIT Palakkad during 2023-24 are Rs. 160.37 crores and Rs. 278.86 crores respectively.

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