Lok Sabha Question No. 2764 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Unfair Means in Examinations
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2764

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016)

## UNFAIR MEANS IN EXAMINATIONS

## 2764. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  incidents  of  using  unfair  means  in various examinations conducted for recruitment to the Government services;
- (b) if so, the details of such incidents reported during the last three years and the current year;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that the incidents of using unfair means demotivate serious candidates;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to take steps to put an end to the said menace, and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a):  Yes, Madam.
- (b):   The details regarding reported incidents of using unfair means during the last three years and the current year during various recruitment examinations conducted by the Staff Selection  Commission  (SSC)  and  Union  Public  Service  Commission  (UPSC),  the  main recruiting agencies for government services, are as follows:
- (c) to  (f):  Yes, Madam.

| SSC              | SSC   | UPSC                          | UPSC   |
|------------------|-------|-------------------------------|--------|
| Year             | Cases | Year                          | Cases  |
| 2013             | 400   | 2013-14                       | 15     |
| 2014             | 528   | 2014-15                       | 09     |
| 2015             | 240   | 2015-16                       | 13     |
| 2016 (till date) | 05    | 2016 (April 2016 - June 2016) | 05     |

UPSC has informed that it takes serious note of the reported cases of malpractices adopted by  the  candidates  and  after  following  due  process  imposes  penalties  like  cancellation  of candidature,  debarment  for  a  particular  period or  permanent  debarment  on  the  offending candidates.

SSC, in order to counter the menace of adoption of unfair practices and to safeguard the interest of genuine candidates, is gradually moving towards Computer Based Examination mode. The attendance of candidates at the examination centres is being recorded through biometric attendance system alongwith their fingerprint, CCTV cameras are installed at the examination venues to record the whole examination process.

In  OMR based examinations also, to maintain the integrity of the examination process, the following measures are being taken by SSC:

- (i) Assistance  of  CISF  and  State  Police  authorities  is  taken  at  sensitive  venues  for frisking of candidates and maintenance of law and order.
- (ii) Videography  is  being  resorted  to  at  sensitive  venues  in  some  examinations  to record  the  opening  of  question  booklets,  distribution  of  question  booklets  and conduct of examination.
- (iii) Large number of Flying Squad Officers, City Coordinators and Inspecting Officers drawn from Government Officers are placed in service for overall supervision of examination at sensitive centres.

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