The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two more accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, bringing the total number of arrests to 13, officials confirmed on Wednesday, 27 May. The latest arrests were made from Latur and Pune, expanding the geographic footprint of a probe that now spans seven cities across India.

Who Was Arrested

The two newly arrested accused have been identified as Dr Manoj Shirure, a doctor based in Latur, and Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, a physics faculty member at Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA), a coaching centre in Pune. According to CBI officials, Shirure played a key role in facilitating three students — including the son of an accused coaching centre owner — in obtaining Chemistry questions from P.V. Kulkarni, who investigators are calling the 'kingpin' of the entire paper leak operation. Shah, meanwhile, allegedly received leaked Physics questions from a previously arrested accused, Manisha Havaldar.

Scale of the Investigation

The CBI registered this case on 12 May 2025 based on a written complaint from the Ministry of Education's Department of Higher Education, pertaining to the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper. Since then, investigators have conducted searches at 49 locations across the country, seizing incriminating documents, laptops, and mobile phones. 'Detailed analysis of the seized items is ongoing,' officials said. The 13 accused arrested so far hail from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahliyanagar.

What the Leak Involved

The CBI has confirmed that its investigation has 'brought out the actual source of the leakage of Chemistry, Biology and Physics questions which were circulated before the exam.' This suggests all three core science subjects of the NEET-UG paper were compromised, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the examination. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to a 'comprehensive, impartial and professional investigation in this case.'

Context and What It Means for Students

The NEET-UG examination is the sole gateway to undergraduate medical admissions across India, with lakhs of aspirants appearing each year. A paper leak of this scale — allegedly involving coaching centres, doctors, and physics faculty — points to a structured, multi-city conspiracy rather than an isolated breach. This comes amid growing demands from student groups and opposition parties for a time-bound resolution and accountability at the institutional level. Notably, this is not the first time NEET has faced integrity questions; the 2024 edition saw its own controversy over alleged irregularities, which triggered nationwide protests.

What Happens Next

The CBI has indicated that multiple special teams are working in tandem, and the investigation is continuing. Further arrests are possible as the agency traces the full chain of the alleged conspiracy. The fate of students who appeared in NEET-UG 2026 — and whether the examination results will be affected — remains a critical question that authorities are yet to address publicly.