Himachal Govt Enforces Public Examinations Act to Curb Cheating From February 9
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Shimla Feb 08, 2026
The Himachal Pradesh government has issued a notification to enforce the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2025 with effect from February 9, aiming to ensure transparency and fairness in recruitment and academic examinations across the state.
With the Act coming into force, incidents such as cheating, paper leaks, impersonation, digital manipulation, tampering with answer sheets, and organised examination crimes will now attract strict legal action. Offences under the Act have been made cognisable and non-bailable.
As per the provisions, those involved in cheating or facilitating unfair means in recruitment examinations will face imprisonment ranging from a minimum of five years to a maximum of ten years, along with a fine that can go up to ₹1 crore. Other persons involved in such offences may face imprisonment between three and five years and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh.
The Act also fixes accountability of examination-conducting agencies and their employees. In cases of organised examination fraud, stricter punishment has been provided. If a service provider is found involved in malpractice, it may be fined up to ₹1 crore, barred from conducting examinations for four years, and made liable to bear the full cost of the examination. Directors or staff of such agencies may face imprisonment from three to ten years.
The law was passed by the Himachal Pradesh Assembly in 2025 and notified after receiving Presidential assent. The effective date has now been officially announced. The government said the legislation was introduced following repeated incidents of paper leaks and organised cheating in recruitment examinations in the state.
Officials stated that the new law will help break the network of cheating mafias and restore public confidence in the examination system.
