UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PM says passage of Bill will make system more robust

Q1. Under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, for how long may a service provider be debarred from conducting public examinations?

  • A. Four years, the period left unchanged from the parent Act of 2024
  • B. Eight years, double the period prescribed by the parent Act of 2024
  • C. Ten years, the same as the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed
  • D. Permanently, in every case where the offence is proved against it

Q2. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 received the assent of the President on which one of the following dates?

  • A. 6 February 2024, the day on which it cleared both Houses in a single sitting
  • B. 9 February 2024, immediately upon its passage by the Rajya Sabha
  • C. 12 February 2024, after its passage by both Houses of Parliament
  • D. 21 June 2024, the date from which all its provisions came into force

Q3. Which House first passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, and in what manner?

  • A. Lok Sabha, on 27 July 2026, on the very day the Bill was introduced
  • B. Lok Sabha, on 29 July 2026, by a voice vote after a discussion
  • C. Rajya Sabha, on 29 July 2026, by a division on a recorded vote
  • D. Rajya Sabha, on 30 July 2026, after a Select Committee reported on it

Q4. While the Amendment Bill of 2026 was taken up in Parliament, the Government stated that how many FIRs had so far been registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024?

  • A. 46
  • B. 52
  • C. 101
  • D. 139

Q5. Which one of the following correctly states the nature of offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024?

  • A. Cognizable, bailable and compoundable, with investigation by an officer not below the rank of Inspector of Police
  • B. Cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, with investigation by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police
  • C. Non-cognizable, non-bailable and compoundable, with investigation by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police
  • D. Non-cognizable, bailable and non-compoundable, with investigation entrusted exclusively to the Central Bureau of Investigation

Q6. Under the rules framed for the anti-paper-leak law of 2024, which body prepares the norms, standards and guidelines for the computer-based test mode of examination?

  • A. The National Testing Agency, in consultation with the Ministry of Education
  • B. The National Recruitment Agency, in consultation with the stakeholders
  • C. The National Informatics Centre, in consultation with the Ministry of Electronics and IT
  • D. The Staff Selection Commission, in consultation with the Department of Personnel and Training

Q7. Under the Amendment Bill of 2026, the Special Task Force to investigate offences relating to public examinations is to be constituted by which authority?

  • A. The Central Bureau of Investigation, on a reference by the examination authority
  • B. The Central Government, by an order made under the amended Act
  • C. The State Government of the State in which the offence is committed
  • D. The National Investigation Agency, acting under its own parent statute

Q8. Which one of the following correctly describes the appellate mechanism provided by the Amendment Bill of 2026?

  • A. An appeal lies to the Court of Session and is to be filed within thirty days of the order
  • B. An appeal lies to a Bench of two judges of the High Court and is to be filed within thirty days
  • C. An appeal lies to a single judge of the High Court and is to be filed within ninety days
  • D. An appeal lies directly to the Supreme Court and is to be disposed of within three months

Q9. The anti-malpractice law enacted by Maharashtra in 2024 is titled as an Act relating to which category of examinations?

  • A. Public examinations conducted by the State's school boards and universities
  • B. Competitive examinations conducted for recruitment in the State
  • C. Recruitment examinations conducted by the State Public Service Commission only
  • D. Entrance examinations for admission to professional courses in the State

Q10. Consider the following statements regarding the anti-cheating laws enacted in India in 2024: 1. The Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was published in the State Government Gazette after the Governor's assent in July 2024. 2. The Arunachal Pradesh law on prevention of unfair means in public examinations for recruitment received the Governor's assent in August 2024. 3. Both these State Acts were enacted before the central Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 received the President's assent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was published in the State Government Gazette after the Governor's assent in July 2024.
  2. The Arunachal Pradesh law on prevention of unfair means in public examinations for recruitment received the Governor's assent in August 2024.
  3. Both these State Acts were enacted before the central Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 received the President's assent.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was piloted in Parliament by which Ministry?

  • A. The Ministry of Education, which conducts NEET and JEE through the NTA
  • B. The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
  • C. The Ministry of Science and Technology, whose Minister moved the Bill
  • D. The Ministry of Home Affairs, which deals with cognizable criminal offences

Q12. The seven-member High-Level Committee of Experts headed by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, set up in 2024 to recommend reforms in the conduct of examinations, was constituted by which body?

  • A. The Ministry of Education, which administers the National Testing Agency
  • B. The Department of Personnel and Training, which pilots the anti-paper-leak law
  • C. The University Grants Commission, which sponsors the UGC-NET examination
  • D. NITI Aayog, through its education and human capital development vertical