Exams create intense pressure, and some people try to cut corners through cheating, impersonation, or paper leaks. What looks like “smart jugaad” can quickly become a serious legal problem.

Cheating inside the exam hall – using unfair means, electronic devices, or copying – typically leads to cancellation of the paper, debarment, and sometimes even criminal charges if organised rackets or bribes are involved.

Impersonation is more serious: one person sits the exam in place of another. This involves fraud, identity misrepresentation, and sometimes organised gangs. Both the real candidate and the impersonator can face criminal prosecution and lifelong damage to their academic record.

Paper leaks are treated particularly harshly because they affect thousands of candidates. Officials, printers, invigilators, and middlemen may face charges relating to cheating, breach of trust, corruption, and cyber offences.

Students should remember that a few hours of unfair advantage can destroy years of effort if caught. Institutions also have a duty to maintain secure systems and transparent investigations, so that honest candidates don’t suffer due to administrative failure.