The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has warned candidates and aspirants against discussing, analysing or circulating contents of question papers of ongoing/
held SSC examinations on social media. "It has come to the notice of the Commission that certain individuals discuss, analyse or circulate the contents of question papers of ongoing/held examinations conducted by the Staff Selection Commission on social media," SSC stated in an official notice. "All such activities are strictly prohibited under the provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (PEA Act, 2024)." SSC stated that such acts will fall under 'Section 3 – Unfair Means' that prohibits leakage, disclosure, access, possession, or dissemination of question papers, answer keys, or any part thereof without authority. The Commission also listed 'Section 9 – Nature of Offences' that states all offences under the Act are cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. Another relevant provision stated by SSC in such a situation is 'Section 10 – Penalties' under which individuals can be imprisoned for 3 to 5 years and fined up to Rs 10 lakh, while service providers/ institutions can be fined up to Rs 1 crore, disqualification from future examinations, and recovery of costs. Additionally, participants of organised crime can face imprisonment of 5 to 10 years and fine of not less than Rs 1 crore. "All content creators, social media platforms, and individuals are hereby warned 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," SSC stated. "The Commission appeals to all candidates and stakeholders to cooperate in maintaining the sanctity of examinations and to refrain from engaging with or promoting such prohibited content." As SSC posted this warning on microblogging platform 'X' (earlier known as Twitter), aspirants seemed to be unhappy with SSC's notice. While some termed it as 'dictatorship', others questioned if it is violation of 'right to speech'. "If we cannot discuss previous year questions, then how are we supposed to study? Even others have cleared the SSC exam by solving previous year questions, so you should remove them from their jobs too. In that case, the entire SSC staff should also be removed. Why is this discrimination only against the new generation?” questioned 'X' user, Nitin Katiyar. "When nobody tell what kind of questions (right/wrong)are in exam,then no accountability for anything.and 50 rupee per question is very high potential. No previous year book can be published now," another user commented.
