Unfair Means (UFM) : Nature and Punishment

Q.1 What is meant by use of Unfair Means (UFM) by candidates in the context of examinations conducted by CBSE?

Ans. The term Unfair Means (UFM) stands for Unfair practices adopted by the candidates in the context of examinations conducted by CBSE.

Q.2 What types of Unfair Means practices are generally used by candidates?

Ans. The types of Unfair Means practices that are generally used by candidates in the context of CBSE Examinations are as below:
(a) Having in possession any item or article which has been prohibited in examination centre or may be used for unfair practices including any stationery item, communication device, accessories, eatable items, ornaments or any other material or information relevant or not relevant to the examination in the paper concerned;
(b) Paying/Placing someone else to write examination (impersonation) on candidate’s behalf or preparing material for copying;
(c) Breaching examination rules or any direction issued by CBSE from time to time, in connection with the conduct of EXAMINATIONS;
(d) Assisting other candidate to engage in malpractice, giving or receiving assistance directly or indirectly of any kind or attempting to do so;
(e) Writing questions or answers on any material other than the answer book given by the Centre Superintendent for writing answers;
(f) Tearing of any page of the answer book or supplementary answer book etc.;
(g) Contacting or communicating or trying to do so with any person, other than the Examination Staff, during the examination time in the examination centre;
(h) Communicating with another candidate or the Assistant Superintendent directly or indirectly.
(i) Taking away the answer book out of the examination hall/room/centre;
(j) Smuggling out Question Paper or its part or smuggling out answer books/ supplementary answer sheet or part thereof;
(k) Threatening any of the officials connected with the conduct of the examinations or threatening any of the candidates;
(l) Using or attempting to use any other undesirable method or means in connection with the examination;
(m) Forceful entry/exit in/from Examination Centre/Hall;
(n) Use or attempted use of any electronic device after entering the examination centre;
(o) Uploading/sharing any examination related material, correct or wrong, on social media.
(p) Affixing/uploading of fabricated photograph on the admit card;
(q) Erasing or obliterating any information printed on the ANSWER BOOK(S);
(r) Providing wrong information on the answer sheet;
(s) Having in possession Question papers of previous years;
(t) If a candidate approaches any Authority(ies)/person(s) related to the conduct of exams soliciting unauthorised privilege(s) in these Examinations.
(u) taking legal course or any other means to influence CBSE for gaining advantage in their favour, by providing false information

Q.3 What are generally the punishments awarded to the candidates found guilty of using Unfair Means in the context of Examinations conducted by CBSE? 

Ans. The punishments related to the use of Unfair Means are as follows:
(a) may be disqualified by the Board from the examination in that year (i.e. his/her examination for that year may be cancelled;
(b) may further be debarred from appearing at any examination of the Board for a period which may extend up to five years; and
(c) in serious cases, may permanently be debarred from taking any examination of the Board.
Note: The details about use of Unfair Means in the context of CBSE’s Examinations are maintained in the Examinations Bye-laws of CBSE. These are available on CBSE’s website www.cbse.nic.in .

Courtesy: CBSE