The scope of the alleged NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak has expanded significantly, with the CBI now investigating not only a network of middlemen and coaching links, but also insiders within the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The investigation has already led to nine arrests in five states in four days, and forced more than 2.2 million aspirants to prepare for the re-examination scheduled for June 21.
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), two separate sets of question papers were leaked by two members of the NTA’s paper preparation committee and then distributed through a chain of intermediaries before reaching students ahead of the May 3 exam.
The CBI has arrested Manisha Gurunath Mandhari, a senior botany teacher from Pune, and PV Kulkarni from Latur, both of whom were appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as experts for the NEET-UG 2026 paper preparation committee.
How did the leak inside NTA start?
As a member of the NTA’s paper preparation committee, Mandhare allegedly had direct access to the botany and zoology papers, while Kulkarni had access to the chemistry paper.
Investigators said Mandir began exchanging questions with selected students during April itself — roughly weeks before the exam.
“She participated in the NEET-UG 2026 examination process and was appointed by NTA as an expert. She had full access to the botany and zoology question papers,” the investigating agency said.
At her residence in Pune, she allegedly conducted coaching sessions where students were asked to write questions and mark answers in textbooks.
“During the classes, Mandhari explained and revealed various questions from Botany and Zoology subjects and made the students write them down in their notebooks and also mark in their textbooks. Majority of these questions correspond to the actual question paper of NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3,” the CBI said.
Kulkarni played a similar role in the newspaper’s chemistry department, officials said.
Training Notes, PDF Files, Gurugram Trader
As the investigation progressed, officials said, two sets of leaked materials emerged from within the NTA — one handwritten and one typed.
The officials claimed that Kulkarni leaked the chemistry paper, while Mandhari leaked questions on botany and zoology. From there, the leaked questions were allegedly transmitted through a series of intermediaries spread across several locations.
Investigators believe the questions were first circulated as practice notes prepared during Pune classes. These notes were then allegedly converted into a PDF file containing approximately 500 to 600 questions.
This PDF file was later distributed via WhatsApp and Telegram groups prior to testing.
Officials said the leaked material was passed from accused Shubham Khairnar from Nashik to Yash Yadav from Gurugram.
Yadav allegedly sold the deck of cards to Mangilal Bewal, also known in court records as Mangilal Khatik, for $10 lakh. Investigators claimed that the deal was based on at least 150 questions identical to the actual NEET paper.
Mangilal later distributed printed copies to his relatives, his son’s friends and a teacher identified as Satyanarayan, the CBI said.
Beauty salon link
The CBI also identified Pune-based beauty salon owner Manisha Waghmare as an important link in the network.
Waghmare, who was arrested on May 14, allegedly connected students with NTA insiders and helped mobilize candidates for coaching sessions.
Investigators told the court that she had had access to the newspaper since at least April 27 – roughly a week before the exam – on charges of “collusion with other defendants” and insiders within the NTA.
Officials now suspect that the operation was carried out through three main layers – insiders who had access to the papers, recruiters who connected the students to the accused, and middlemen who distributed and sold the materials.
Nine arrests in four days
So far, nine people have been arrested in five states in connection with the case.
Those arrested include Mandir, Kulkarni and Waghmere from Pune; Dhananjay Lokhanda from Ahilyanagar; Shubham Khairnar from Nashik; Mangilal Piwal also known as Mangilal Khatik, Vikas Piwal and Dinesh Piwal from Jaipur; And Yash Yadav is from Gurugram.
Officials familiar with the investigation said investigators are now examining the role of the full committee involved in drawing up the NEET-UG 2026 paper.
“The entire committee that prepared the paper and other senior officials of the NTA are under scrutiny,” an official said.
The agency is also investigating whether Mandhare and Kulkarni were involved in the earlier examination leaks. A special court at Delhi’s Ross Avenue Courts sentenced the accused to 10 days’ imprisonment with the CBI.
(With inputs from HT’s Neeraj Chauhan)
