NEET-UG Paper Leak Row: Centre Appoints New Joint Secretaries, Directors In NTA

New Delhi: After the controversy over NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case and cancellation of the examination, the central government has made major administrative changes in the National Testing Agency (NTA). The government on Saturday announced the appointment of two new joint secretaries and two joint directors in the agency. Meanwhile, CBI has arrested another big accused in the case. According to the investigating agency, a senior teacher from Pune had played an important role in leaking the Biology question paper.

Which officers got new responsibility?

As per the order issued by the Personnel Ministry, Anuja Bapat and Ruchita Vij have been appointed as joint secretaries in NTA. Both the officers have been appointed for five years. Anuja Bapat is a 1998 batch officer of the Indian Statistical Service (ISS), while Ruchita Vij is a 2004 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS- Customs and Indirect Taxes).

Who was appointed to the post of Joint Director?

The government has appointed Akash Jain and Aditya Rajendra Bhojgarhia as joint directors in NTA. Akash Jain is an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax), while Bhojgarhia is an officer of the Indian Accounts and Audit Service. It is believed that these appointments have been made with the aim of strengthening transparency and monitoring in the examination system.

Which new accused was arrested by CBI?

CBI has arrested Pune's senior Botany teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare in this case. The investigating agency claims that she was the mastermind of the Biology question paper leak. According to the CBI, Manisha Mandhare was appointed by the NTA as an expert in the NEET-UG 2026 examination process, which gave her direct access to the Botany and Zoology question papers.

How did the network of candidates get involved in the paper leak?

CBI investigation has revealed that during April 2026, Manisha Mandhare established contact with several NEET aspirants through already arrested accused Manisha Waghmare. The investigating agency says that the question paper was sent out through this network. Manisha Waghmare was arrested on 14 May.

How many accused have been arrested so far?

According to CBI, a total of nine accused have been arrested so far in this case. The arrests have been made in Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar. Of these, five accused have been produced in court and sent on police remand for seven days. Two other accused arrested recently have been brought to Delhi on transit remand.

Could there be more arrests?

The investigating agency has intensified the search for two more associates of PV Kulkarni, the alleged mastermind of the paper leak. According to sources, two other lecturers were also playing an active role in this entire network. CBI is continuously conducting raids in Pune and Latur. PV Kulkarni was arrested from Pune on May 15 and he is considered to be the mastermind of this entire racket.