NEET-UG 2026: Solver gang busted in Bihar, 30 arrested for impersonation
Synopsis
A organised solver gang allegedly infiltrated multiple NEET-UG 2026 exam centres in Bihar by manipulating biometric verification — with medical students paid up to ₹12 lakh per candidate to impersonate genuine aspirants. Thirty people are in custody, including the alleged mastermind from Pawapuri Medical College, in one of the most brazen exam fraud cases of the year.
Key Takeaways
Bihar Police arrested 30 people in connection with a NEET-UG 2026 impersonation racket on 22 June .
The alleged mastermind is a student of Pawapuri Medical College, Rajgir ; all 9 identified 'solvers' are medical students.
Deals were reportedly struck at ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh per candidate, with an advance of ₹1–2 lakh collected upfront.
Individuals linked to the biometric verification agency are among those arrested, suggesting an inside nexus.
The FIR was filed by Dinesh Kumar Bhagat , Acting Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Lakhisarai , who served as city coordinator.
Police are tracing the money trail through bank accounts, mobile records, and digital transactions; further arrests are expected.
Bihar Police have arrested 30 individuals, including medical students acting as paid impersonators, in connection with a organised cheating racket that allegedly compromised the NEET-UG 2026 examination at multiple centres across the state. The crackdown, which surfaced on 22 June, followed reports of biometric verification manipulation at several exam centres in different districts.
How the Racket Operated
According to investigators, the alleged mastermind is a student of Pawapuri Medical College in Rajgir, who reportedly organised a network of medical students from various institutions to appear in the examination on behalf of genuine candidates. All nine alleged 'solvers' arrested so far are medical students, police confirmed.
The gang allegedly bypassed biometric verification procedures at examination centres with the help of individuals associated with the biometric agency, who are also among those arrested. Police are still investigating the precise method used to defeat the verification process.
The Money Trail
Monetary deals reportedly ranged from ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh per candidate, according to Lakhisarai SDPO Shivam Kumar. An advance of ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh was allegedly collected upfront, with the remaining amount due after examination results and successful admission. Investigators are now examining bank accounts, mobile phone records, and digital transactions to trace the full financial network.
Who Was Arrested
The 30 arrested individuals reportedly include medical students serving as solvers, personnel linked to the biometric verification agency, and other alleged members of the racket. Several additional suspects are currently being questioned. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by Dinesh Kumar Bhagat, Acting Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Lakhisarai, who was serving as the city coordinator for the examination.
Scope of the Investigation
Police officials have stated that the probe is being expanded to examine the role of every individual connected to the alleged network. Authorities believe further interrogation could expose additional members, financial transactions, and possible links to other examination centres beyond those already identified. This comes amid recurring concerns over the integrity of high-stakes national medical entrance examinations, with NEET having faced scrutiny over malpractice allegations in previous years as well.
The investigation remains active, and further arrests are expected as the money trail and network links are established.
Point of View
The security architecture of the exam itself is compromised. The reported fee of ₹10–12 lakh per candidate signals a well-capitalised, demand-driven market for impersonation, not opportunistic cheating. NEET has faced fraud allegations in consecutive cycles, yet the structural fixes — randomised biometric audits, real-time cross-verification of candidate photographs — remain inconsistently applied. The arrest of nine medical students as solvers also raises an uncomfortable question: what does it say about the system when those already inside medical colleges find it more lucrative to game the entrance exam than to practise medicine?
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NEET-UG 2026 solver gang case in Bihar?
Bihar Police uncovered an organised racket in which paid impersonators — mostly medical students — allegedly appeared in the NEET-UG 2026 examination on behalf of genuine candidates at multiple centres across the state. Thirty people have been arrested, including the alleged mastermind, a student of Pawapuri Medical College in Rajgir.
How did the gang allegedly bypass biometric verification?
According to investigators, individuals associated with the biometric verification agency at examination centres were allegedly in collusion with the racket, facilitating the entry of impersonators. Police are still examining the exact method used to defeat the verification process.
How much money was allegedly charged per candidate?
Deals reportedly ranged from ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh per candidate, according to Lakhisarai SDPO Shivam Kumar. An advance of ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh was allegedly collected upfront, with the balance payable after results and admission confirmation.
Who are the accused in the Bihar NEET cheating case?
The 30 arrested individuals reportedly include nine medical students who acted as solvers, personnel linked to the biometric verification agency, and other alleged network members. The alleged mastermind is identified as a student of Pawapuri Medical College, Rajgir.
What happens next in the investigation?
Police are tracing the money trail through bank accounts, mobile phone records, and digital transactions. Authorities expect further interrogation to reveal additional network members and possible links to other examination centres; more arrests are anticipated.
