NEET-UG leak probe deepens; main accused arrested

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Manisha Mandhare, a Pune resident considered the main suspect in the NEET-UG 2026 test leak.

CBI has found that Manisha Waghmare, arrested on May 14, was reportedly recruited by Manisha Mandhare for unofficial coaching sessions run by Chemistry teacher PV Kulkarni, who has also been arrested and is suspected of involvement and is alleged to have had access to National Testing Agency (NTA) test papers.

Mandhare, a Senior Botany Teacher, was an NTA-appointed expert for the NEET UG 2026 Examination and had access to the Botany and Zoology question papers. In April 2026, she mobilised prospective NEET candidates through Manisha Waghmare of Pune and conducted special coaching classes for these students at her residence.

During these sessions, Mandhare reviewed and explained Botany and Zoology questions, instructing students to record them in their notebooks and textbooks. Most of these questions later appeared on the NEET UG 2026 Examination held on May 3, 2026.

Reports indicate that these sessions took place at a private residence in Pune in late April 2026. Students received exam questions and answers, and forensic analysis later verified that their notes matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 exam given on May 3. The breach was uncovered after a whistle-blower reported finding a WhatsApp ‘guess paper’ identical to the real exam. This prompted the National Testing Agency (NTA) to cancel the test on May 12.

The NTA has set a re-test for June 21 at no extra cost for candidates and announced that NEET will move fully to a computer-based format in 2027. Investigators traced approximately Rs 10 lakh to accounts linked to Mandhare, who was arrested alongside another suspect from Ahilyanagar.

CBI teams have searched 14 locations in Maharashtra and Rajasthan, detaining seven more suspects. They seized Mandhare’s electronic devices and documents for forensic analysis. Authorities are investigating possible wider involvement in the exam system. All accused remain in police custody for seven days.

The incident affected over 2.2 million candidates and triggered nationwide protests. It has also been linked to the reported suicides of at least two students. The CBI has pledged a thorough, prompt investigation to restore public trust as thousands of NEET candidates await a fair resolution.

NTA appoints 2 joint secretaries, 2 joint directors

The Centre on Saturday appointed two joint secretaries and two joint directors in the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is under the heat over the NEET-UG paper leak. Anuja Bapat, a 1998-batch officer of the Indian Statistical Service, and Ruchita Vij (IRS), will be new joint secretaries. Akash Jain, an IRS and Aditya Rajendra Bhojgadhiya, an Indian Audit and Accounts Service officer, have been named joint directors.