SSC warns against sharing or discussing exam question papers under new law

The Commission noted that some individuals and social media platforms have been engaging in such activities, which are strictly prohibited under the Act. The law categorises all offences as cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.

By: Education Desk

New Delhi | Updated: September 10, 2025 10:10 AM IST

2 min read

The SSC has appealed to content creators, platforms, and candidates to refrain from indulging in such prohibited activities to ensure the integrity of examinations (Express photo by Sumit Malhotra/ representative)

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has warned against the discussion, analysis, or circulation of question papers from its ongoing or past examinations, citing strict provisions under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (PEA Act, 2024).

Key provisions highlighted by the SSC include:

Section 3: Prohibits leakage, disclosure, possession, or dissemination of exam papers, answer keys, or related content without authorization.
Section 9: All offences under the Act are cognisable and non-bailable.
Section 10: Prescribes penalties — individuals may face 3 to 5 years of imprisonment and fines up to Rs 10 lakh; service providers and institutions may be fined up to Rs 1 crore with disqualification from exams; and organised crime offences may lead to 5 to 10 years of imprisonment with fines of at least Rs 1 crore.

The Commission has asked all content creators, social media platforms, and individuals not to indulge in discussion, analysis, or dissemination of SSC examination question papers or their contents in any manner.

“Any violation will invite strict penal action under the above provisions of the PEA Act, 2024, in addition to other applicable laws,” the official notification said, appealing to all candidates and stakeholders to cooperate in maintaining the sanctity of examinations and refraining from engaging with or promoting such prohibited content.

Read | Technical, operational issues being resolved: SSC Chairman on ‘irregularities’ in recruitment exams

This comes amid a row over alleged irregularities in the conduct of computer-based recruitment examination for government jobs. There were also protests in the national capital and some other parts of the country by government job aspirants and coaching institutes who claimed of encountering various issues, including technical and operational glitches and exam centres being located far from candidates’ homes (500 km in some cases), during the conduct of Selection Posts/Phase XIII Exams, 2025, held from July 24 to August 2.

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