NEET-UG 2026 paper leak: CBI arrests Pune NTA expert, total accused reaches 11
Synopsis
A Pune-based physics expert appointed by the NTA to help conduct NEET-UG 2026 allegedly used that insider access to leak questions to a co-accused — and the CBI says the leaked questions matched what actually appeared in the exam. With 11 arrests across seven cities, the scale of the alleged racket is widening with every raid.
Key Takeaways
Manisha Sanjay Havaldar , a Pune-based NTA-appointed physics expert, was arrested by the CBI on 22 May 2026 .
She allegedly shared physics questions with co-accused Manisha Mandhare , arrested on 16 May , during April 2026 .
The shared questions reportedly matched those that appeared in actual NEET-UG 2026 paper sets.
Total arrests in the case have reached 11 , spanning Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar .
The CBI registered the case on 12 May 2026 on a complaint from the Department of Higher Education .
Investigators allege middlemen charged candidates lakhs of rupees for access to leaked questions through covert coaching sessions.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday, 22 May arrested Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, a Pune-based physics expert appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak case. Havaldar, employed at Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala in Pune, had been granted full access to the physics question papers in her capacity as an NTA-appointed expert.
How the Leak Unfolded
According to investigators, Havaldar allegedly shared multiple physics questions from the NEET-UG 2026 paper with co-accused Manisha Mandhare during April 2026. Mandhare had been arrested earlier on 16 May. The CBI confirmed that the questions Havaldar is alleged to have circulated matched those that eventually appeared across various NEET-UG 2026 paper sets — establishing her as a critical source in the leak chain.
Raids and Seized Evidence
As part of the continuing investigation, the CBI conducted searches at multiple locations across the country. Officials seized incriminating documents, laptops, bank statements, and mobile phones. Forensic and technical analysis of the recovered materials is currently underway, the agency said.
Scale of the Conspiracy
With Havaldar's arrest, the total number of accused in the case has risen to 11. Arrests have been made from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar. Investigators allege the existence of a wider network of middlemen and facilitators who organised confidential coaching sessions — charging candidates and their families lakhs of rupees — where leaked questions were reportedly circulated ahead of the examination.
Background and CBI Mandate
The CBI registered the case on 12 May 2026 following a written complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education regarding the leak of NEET-UG 2026 papers. The agency swiftly formed multiple special teams and launched coordinated searches across several states. This comes amid heightened public scrutiny of examination integrity in India, following the NEET-UG 2024 controversy that had triggered nationwide protests and a Supreme Court review of the NTA's processes.
What the CBI Said
The agency reiterated its commitment to carrying out a 'comprehensive, impartial and professional investigation,' adding that efforts are continuing to identify all individuals involved and to map the complete chain of the paper leak racket. Further arrests are not ruled out as the probe expands.
Point of View
The structural question is no longer about exam-day security but about vetting and access controls within the NTA's own expert network. India has now seen back-to-back NEET integrity crises in 2024 and 2026; the pattern suggests systemic failure rather than isolated wrongdoing. Without a credible, independent audit of NTA's appointment and access protocols, each new arrest risks becoming a headline without a structural fix.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manisha Sanjay Havaldar and why was she arrested?
Manisha Sanjay Havaldar is a physics teacher at Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala in Pune who was appointed by the NTA as an expert for the NEET-UG 2026 examination. The CBI arrested her on 22 May 2026, alleging she used her access to the physics question papers to share questions with a co-accused ahead of the exam.
How many people have been arrested in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case?
As of 22 May 2026, the total number of accused arrested in the case has risen to 11. Arrests have been made from multiple cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar.
When did the CBI take over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak investigation?
The CBI registered the case on 12 May 2026 following a written complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. The agency formed multiple special teams and launched coordinated searches across several states shortly after.
How did the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak network operate?
According to investigators, a network of middlemen and facilitators organised covert coaching sessions where leaked questions were allegedly circulated among students willing to pay lakhs of rupees. The questions were reportedly shared by insiders with access to the paper, then passed down through the network before the exam.
What evidence has the CBI collected so far?
During raids at multiple locations, the CBI seized incriminating documents, laptops, bank statements, and mobile phones. Forensic and technical analysis of the seized materials is currently underway, and the agency says efforts are continuing to map the full network.
