Overview
- The assembly cleared the Chhattisgarh Public Recruitment and Professional Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2026, proposing up to 10 years in jail and fines up to ₹1 crore.
- The statute defines key terms and covers the full exam cycle, mandates use of approved centres except in emergencies, and introduces whistleblower protections.
- Investigations will be led by officers of at least sub-inspector rank, cases can be moved to central or state agencies, and assets may be attached in organised-crime cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- Penalties include cancellation of results and a 1–3 year ban for candidates without permanent disqualification, 3–10 years and up to ₹10 lakh for other offenders, 1–5 years and up to ₹5 lakh for specified breaches, and up to ₹1 crore plus debarment and cost recovery for service providers.
- Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the measure targets the exam mafia, the opposition backed strict action but criticised political blame, and a separate bill created a new Staff Selection Board by merging the CPEB to streamline Class III and IV recruitment.