The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 is a significant legislation enacted by the Indian Parliament to curb malpractices in public examinations. It came into force on 21st June 2024, aiming to ensure fairness and integrity in exams conducted by authorities like UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, and others listed in its Schedule. The Act defines "unfair means," including paper leaks, tampering with answer sheets, and impersonation, and prescribes strict penalties—imprisonment (3-10 years) and hefty fines (up to ₹1 crore). It also holds service providers accountable, making offences cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. This law strengthens India's legal framework by addressing organised cheating syndicates and protecting the credibility of public examinations. Its introduction marks a proactive step toward safeguarding merit-based recruitment and education systems.