Investigating agencies probing the NEET-UG paper leak case say the accused allegedly operated with a strict division of labour, assigning different subject portions to different members based on expertise and networks. The compartmentalised approach, officials believe, kept suspicion low because no single person possessed the entire question paper. A Chemistry teacher in Latur allegedly shared Chemistry questions, while another accused used a student counselling institute to reach aspirants and handle much of the Biology section. Investigators also face hurdles recovering deleted Telegram chats, delaying digital evidence.
In a major step in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak probe, the CBI has arrested Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a senior woman biology lecturer from Pune and an expert on the NTA question-setting panel. Sources say she was detained first for interrogation before formal arrest. The agency claims she had complete access to the Botany and Zoology sections and allegedly mobilised candidates through special coaching at her residence, with questions reportedly matching those that appeared in the May 3 exam. The arrest follows PV Kulkarni’s detention as “kingpin.”
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CBI arrested Maharashtra chemistry lecturer Prof PV Kulkarni, a NEET-UG 2026 paper-setting committee member, alleging he masterminded the medical entrance exam leak. Investigators say Kulkarni had authorized access in the weeks before the test and allegedly ran paid coaching sessions where he dictated questions and answers. Forensic checks of seized notebooks reportedly showed handwritten notes matching the actual paper set on May 3. The probe began May 12 on a Higher Education Department complaint and has led to multiple arrests and raids, including at NTA records.
Rahul Gandhi reacted sharply to the death of 21-year-old Ritik Mishra, a NEET aspirant in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri, whose family alleged he hanged himself after the NEET-UG exam was cancelled amid paper leak allegations. Calling it “murder by the system,” Gandhi questioned how many such deaths it would take to bring accountability, citing data on scams, cancellations, and near-zero punishment. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condemned exam corruption.
A Delhi court sent NEET paper leak accused Dhananjay Lokhande to six days of CBI custody, allowing the agency’s plea for custodial interrogation. The CBI said Lokhande received the leaked paper from another accused, Manisha Baghmare, and then gave it to co-accused Shubham. The probe aims to uncover a larger conspiracy, with investigation still at an early and crucial stage. Earlier, five other accused were remanded to seven days in CBI custody.
The CBI is actively investigating alleged NEET (UG) paper leaks, conducting fresh questioning in Latur, Maharashtra. Investigators visited and questioned Shivraj Motegaonkar, director of Renukai Chemistry Classes, at his residence in Omkar Residency, with a 28-member team currently camping in the city. Earlier, the agency detained a retired chemistry faculty member tied to the paper-setting committee. The NEET (UG) 2026 exam on May 3 was cancelled on May 12. Police inquiry began after a complaint alleging 42 mock test questions matched NEET.
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Arjun, from Assam, suffered a devastating burn accident during Diwali at age two, leaving nearly 40% of his upper body injured. Doctors offered little hope, prompting his family to sell everything and move from Assam to Delhi for advanced treatment, followed by multiple surgeries. After his appearance gradually improved, he faced years of bullying at school, though his twin brother stood by him. Arjun then dedicated himself to NEET UG 2026 for a future as a plastic surgeon—until the exam was cancelled amid paper leak allegations. He’s now preparing again.
The CCPA has fined Motion Education and Career Line Coaching Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively, over misleading JEE and NEET result advertisements. The regulator said the institutes used students’ names, photos and ranks in promotions while concealing key details about what programmes those students actually took. Investigators found many featured successes were enrolled in free online courses or test-series only, and some joined after exams ended. The orders were challenged at the NCDRC.
As outrage grows over allegations of NEET question-paper leaks and irregularities, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced sweeping changes. From next year, NEET will shift to a computer-based format, replacing the OMR-based test model. The NTA will refund exam fees for affected candidates and conduct a re-exam with no additional charges. Candidates will also receive an extra 15 minutes, and admit cards for the re-test are scheduled for release on June 14.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that India will phase out OMR sheet-based exams starting in 2027, with major national entrance tests moving entirely to computer-based tests (CBT). The government says the shift targets persistent problems such as question paper leaks, impersonation, cheating, and logistical hurdles tied to paper transport. Officials claim CBT will improve security and surveillance, reduce human intervention in evaluation, speed up results, and standardize testing across examination centres.
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Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a high-level meeting at his residence in New Delhi to review and assess the proposed plan for a NEET retest. The move comes as concerns continue to swirl around the exam and how any retest would be structured and implemented. The meeting was aimed at taking stock of the proposal and evaluating next steps, signalling that discussions are underway at the top level before any outcome is formally announced.
The CBI’s investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak has accelerated, with two additional people arrested on Thursday and the total number of arrests rising to around seven. Authorities identified the new accused as Dhananjay Lokhanda and Manisha Waghmare, arrested from Ahilyanagar and Pune respectively. The CBI also conducted searches at 14 locations across India. Earlier, five people were arrested on Wednesday. Investigators said the Pune woman had received funds linked to 21 bank accounts before the exam.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that saffron shawls will not be permitted in schools, covering education up to Class 12. He said existing religious practices such as hijab, turbans, rudraksha beads, and sacred threads can continue. Siddaramaiah also weighed in on the NEET controversy, adding to the political debate around campus regulation of religious symbols.
The CBI has detained a retired professor in Latur as its probe into the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak case escalates. The agency’s move suggests it is pursuing a well-organised paper-setting network tied to the city’s reputation as an education hub. Investigators say the development raises new questions about possible connections within the coaching and exam ecosystem.
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A second-year MBBS student has alleged an organised NEET question paper leak, claiming answer keys were being openly offered for money ahead of the exam. He shared screenshots of suspicious WhatsApp chats and says a student sitting behind him had two A4 sheets with answers that closely matched the questions, raising fresh questions for authorities to investigate.
A medical body has urged the Supreme Court to overhaul or replace the National Testing Agency after recurring NEET-UG paper leaks. It calls the issue a direct assault on students’ fundamental rights and says the current system shows systemic failures and outdated security measures. The plea requests a robust, autonomous exam integrity setup and a high-powered interim committee to monitor and prevent further breaches.
A 17-year-old Class 12 student in Goa allegedly died by suicide hours after NEET-UG 2026 was cancelled, prompting renewed concern over exam-linked stress. Police recovered a note citing academic pressure, emotional exhaustion, and struggles balancing studies with hockey. While investigators have not confirmed a direct link to the cancellation, they said the sudden change may have intensified his distress.
Maharashtra Police detained two more suspects in the alleged NEET 2026 paper leak case, including a woman from Pune. The woman, identified as Manisha Waghmare, was picked up from Bibvewadi and reportedly works as a beautician. After questioning, the suspects were handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), signalling a widening probe.
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Ashok Bahar, a 71 year old from Uttar Pradesh, drew online attention for appearing for the NEET UG 2026 exam to fulfill a promise to his mother and realize a lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. But the exam was cancelled after a paper leak surfaced, derailing his plans and postponing the moment he hoped to achieve.
A Mumbai court ordered NEET paper leak accused Shubham Khairnar, arrested in Nashik, to be placed on a two day transit remand with the CBI. The central agency took him into custody late Tuesday night and produced him before a magistrate’s court, seeking the remand to carry out further investigation in Delhi.
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