NEET Paper Leak Row: NTA Expert Teacher Identified as Mastermind; CBI probe exposes Conspiracy

New Delhi: The controversy over the leak of NEET-UG 2026 question paper continues to grow bigger with every passing day. The country's largest medical entrance examination, NEET-UG 2026, has once again come under a cloud of suspicion. In this paper leak scandal—which impacts the future of millions of students—the CBI has made a revelation that has shaken the entire education system. The investigative agency has identified the woman believed to be the mastermind behind the leak of the Biology question paper. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune, has been arrested in Delhi. What is shocking is that she herself was an expert appointed by the NTA and had direct access to the question papers.

Were Confidential Questions Leaked to Students by NTA Expert?

According to the CBI, Manisha Mandhare was a pivotal part of the examination process. She held privileged access to the question papers for the Botany and Zoology subjects. It is alleged that she misused this position of trust to leak selected questions prior to the examination. The investigation has also revealed that she had established an entire network to systematically disseminate this confidential information to students.

Were 'Secret NEET Classes' Conducted in Pune?

According to the investigative agency, during April 2026, Manisha Mandhare gathered potential candidates through Manisha Waghmare of Pune. Subsequently, special coaching sessions were organized at her residence. During these classes, students were taught numerous critical questions in Botany and Zoology; they were made to write them down in notebooks and even mark them in their textbooks. Later, these very questions appeared in the actual NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026.

How Did CBI Uncover Major Evidence?

Over the past 24 hours, the CBI has conducted raids at six different locations across the country. During these operations, several incriminating documents, laptops, mobile phones, and bank statements were seized. The agency is now scrutinizing the digital data and financial transactions to determine the exact amount of money exchanged in exchange for the leaked paper and to ascertain the total number of individuals involved in this network.

How Many Accused Have Been Arrested?

So far, a total of nine accused individuals have been arrested in connection with this case across Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar. Of these, the court has remanded five of the accused to police custody for seven days. Meanwhile, two other accused—who were arrested recently—have been brought to Delhi from Pune on transit remand, where they are currently undergoing intensive interrogation.

Why Were Major Questions Raised Over the Future of Lakhs of Students?

Following this revelation, serious questions have been raised nationwide regarding the transparency and security protocols surrounding the NEET examination. Lakhs of students and parents are now demanding to know how the question paper for such a highly confidential examination managed to leak out. The CBI has stated that the investigation is still ongoing and that more prominent names linked to this network may surface in the coming days.