The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has revealed significant security failures within the National Testing Agency (NTA) that allowed the leak of the NEET UG 2026 question paper. The chargesheet names 13 accused, including three subject experts, and describes the leak as a carefully orchestrated multi-state criminal conspiracy. The NEET UG exam, originally held on May 3, was canceled after the leak and later re-conducted on June 21 with stricter security measures.
How the NEET UG Paper Leak Unfolded
The investigation uncovered that multiple subject experts involved in preparing the exam had access to the full set of confidential questions. This violated the intended process, which requires different experts to independently handle question writing, moderation, vetting, translation, and back-translation to reduce leak risks. Instead, the overlap gave these experts opportunities to share exam content illicitly.
The CBI highlighted several security lapses at the NTA's confidential section. Notably, experts entering or leaving the area were not frisked, there was no dedicated control room for live CCTV monitoring, and surveillance footage was only stored for 20 to 25 days. Since the confidential work ended on April 7 and the case was registered on May 12, the relevant footage was unavailable for investigators.
Details of the Alleged Leak by Experts
- Chemistry expert P.V. Kulkarni reportedly wrote questions and answers on concealed paper slips inside the confidential area.
- Biology expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare allegedly reconstructed questions by marking NCERT textbooks after returning to her hotel.
- Physics expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar is accused of memorizing questions and writing them down after leaving the NTA office.
The chargesheet also mentions that a candidate and his father were offered access to the question paper for Rs 4 lakh. Additionally, one subject expert allegedly conducted offline revision classes using confidential material. The leak was facilitated by a network of coaching operators, brokers, and intermediaries, with digital evidence found on WhatsApp and Telegram, including a group named "NEET 2026" used during the conspiracy.
Investigation Scope and Legal Actions
The CBI investigation involved 72 officers and eight cyber forensic experts, with searches conducted at 92 locations across multiple states. The chargesheet includes testimonies from 360 witnesses, 422 documents, and 43 material objects. All 13 accused are in judicial custody and face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The NTA Director General responded to an email from a teacher on the day of the exam, which alerted authorities about a "guess paper" matching the actual questions. However, the NTA has refrained from commenting on the CBI's findings due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Following the leak, the NEET UG 2026 exam was canceled and later held again under enhanced security. Meanwhile, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has started the counselling process for NEET UG 2026, with choice filling scheduled to begin on August 8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who were the main accused in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak?
A: The chargesheet names 13 individuals, including three subject experts responsible for chemistry, biology, and physics question papers, along with coaching operators and intermediaries.
Q: What security lapses did the CBI find at the National Testing Agency?
A: The CBI found no frisking of experts entering or leaving the confidential section, lack of a dedicated CCTV monitoring control room, and limited retention of surveillance footage, which hampered the investigation.
Q: What actions have been taken following the paper leak?
A: The May 3 NEET UG 2026 exam was canceled and re-conducted on June 21 with improved security. The accused are in judicial custody, and the Medical Counselling Committee has begun the counselling process for candidates.
