Date: 2025-07-11Category: Not ApplicableState: MaharashtraCountry: India
Part V, Ext. No. 81, L. A. BILL No. XLVIII OF 2025.
A Bill to amend the Maharashtra Competitive Exam (Prevention of unfair means) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Friday, 11th July 2025.
This document is a Bill to amend the Maharashtra Competitive Exam (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. (L. A. BILL No. XLVIII OF 2025).
**Key Amendments:**
* **Section 2:** Expands the scope of entities conducting competitive exams to include the State Government and local authorities, in addition to the Competition Authority.
* **Section 7:** Includes "candidates" (उमेदवार) in the prohibition of unfair practices and ensures their information is protected.
* **Section 11:** Increases the minimum penalty for unfair practices from ten lakh rupees to a range of two lakh to ten lakh rupees and introduces stricter penalties for repeat offenders, including imprisonment of up to fifteen years and fines up to one crore rupees. Additional imprisonment may be imposed, according to the Indian Penal Code, 2023, if the penalty is not paid. Increases penalties for subsequent offenses.
* **Section 12:** Enhances the punishment for offenses under the Act, potentially leading to imprisonment for life.
* **Schedule-One:** Broadens the definition of "any exam taken" to include those conducted by local self-governing bodies, government-aided institutions, and public enterprises (fully or partially aided).
**Objectives of the Amendment:**
* To strengthen the Act by including minimum penalties for offenses.
* To introduce higher penalties for repeat offenders.
* To address the involvement of organized crime in unfair examination practices with stricter penalties.
* To eliminate any loopholes in the Act that could be exploited by criminals.
**Details:**
* Presented in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on July 11, 2025.
* The bill is applicable to the whole of Maharashtra on a date to be notified in the Government Gazette.
**Signatories:**
* **Rohit Pawar:** Acting Member.
* **Jitendra Bhole:** Secretary-1, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Key Entities Referenced
Maharashtra Competitive Exam (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: The principal act being amended, which aims to prevent unfair means in competitive exams in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Competitive Exam (Prevention of Unfair Means) (Amendment) Act, 2024: The amendment act of 2024, seeking to modify the original act related to preventing unfair means in competitive exams.
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly: Legislative body where the bill was introduced.
Maharashtra: The state where the Act applies.