Rajasthan Chemistry teacher Shashikant Suthar, the whistleblower in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 exam paper leak, on Tuesday, 19 May gave a step-by-step account of how he uncovered the irregularity and alerted authorities — crediting the National Testing Agency (NTA) and investigative agencies for acting swiftly after he raised the alarm. The re-examination for the national medical entrance test is now scheduled for 21 June.

How the Leak Came to Light

Suthar, a Chemistry teacher based in Sikar, Rajasthan, said the chain of events began after the NEET-UG 2026 examination on 3 May. After returning home from resolving students' doubts, his landlord shared a viral PDF that allegedly contained questions matching those that had appeared in the medical entrance test.

'After I analysed the NEET paper, solved doubts of my students and returned home, my landlord told me that he has received a viral PDF which claimed to have questions similar to what appeared in the medical entrance examination,' Suthar said.

Upon comparing the viral document with the actual paper, Suthar found the overlap was significant. 'Out of 104 questions, 45 were exactly the same,' he asserted. His colleague, a Biology teacher, then cross-checked that subject's questions — and found all 90 Biology questions were identical to those in the leaked PDF.

The Decision to Alert Authorities

Suthar said the group — comprising himself, his landlord, coaching staff, and the director of their coaching centre — concluded it was likely a case of paper leak. Critically, they chose not to file a police First Information Report (FIR) immediately, fearing public panic among students.

'If such a thing got out into the public, the students would get panicked. That is why we directly approached the NTA,' Suthar explained. Local police, including the Superintendent of Police, guided them on how to formally contact the agency. The group subsequently emailed the NTA, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Union Education Ministry about the alleged irregularity.

NTA's Response and the Investigation

Suthar praised the NTA for what he described as a 'quick response.' He said NTA Director General Abhishek Singh personally called him to gather details. 'He too felt that it could be a major issue. A team was formed in Delhi which reached Sikar and conducted investigation in the case. Then the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) got involved,' Suthar recounted.

This comes amid broader scrutiny of the NTA following the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy, which had triggered nationwide protests and a Supreme Court review of the examination system. The swift institutional response in the 2026 case marks a notable contrast to the delayed acknowledgement seen in the previous year's episode.

Re-Examination and the Whistleblower's Stand

Suthar also thanked the Centre for 'quickly' taking the decision to hold a re-examination, which is now set for 21 June 2026. He was emphatic that he does not consider himself a hero in the matter. 'As an aware citizen and a teacher, it is our duty to work towards the betterment of students,' he said.

Suthar condemned the teachers who have been arrested by the CBI for their alleged involvement in the paper leak, and expressed satisfaction that the agencies acted to protect students' futures and reduce their stress.

With the re-examination weeks away, the focus now shifts to whether the NTA can deliver a credible, leak-proof process — and whether the CBI's ongoing investigation will establish the full extent of the alleged network.