Public Exams Bill Necessary To Curb Unfair Means: VP Radhakrishnan
Vice-President stresses strict laws, research and vigilance against narcotics at Sastra University event
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Monday said stringent laws were necessary to punish criminals and protect law-abiding citizens, while defending the recently passed Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026.
Speaking at the valedictory function of the ruby and silver jubilee celebrations of Sastra deemed-to-be university, Radhakrishnan said the legislation was necessary to prevent unfair practices in public examinations.
He recalled that a similar bill had been passed by the Jharkhand Assembly when he was Governor of the state. “At the time, many said I should not give assent to the bill. But I was committed and signed the bill and made it into a law,” he said.
Radhakrishnan said research should have a meaningful impact on society and urged students to pursue research that addresses real-world challenges. Referring to India’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had encouraged scientists to develop vaccines, resulting in their large-scale production and administration in India.
He said the Centre aimed to increase the gross enrolment ratio in higher education from 30 per cent to 50 per cent and stressed the need to make higher education more research-oriented.
Expressing concern over the growing use of narcotics among students, Radhakrishnan referred to the recent murder of a youth in Coimbatore and said such incidents should not be repeated. He said law enforcement agencies had been asked to maintain strict vigilance and take action to curb narcotics use.
Citing mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan as an example, he urged students to identify their talents and develop them through dedicated pursuit.
Radhakrishnan also praised Thanjavur as the “cradle of our art and culture and granary of Tamil Nadu” and recalled the achievements of Raja Raja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola.
He expressed concern that Aadi Perukku celebrations in the Cauvery delta had to rely on borewell and piped water this year, but expressed hope that the Mettur dam would soon reach full storage capacity.
Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, Sastra Chancellor R. Sethuraman, Vice-Chancellor S. Vaidhyasubramaniam, Dean S. Swaminathan and Registrar Chandramouli attended the event.
