Maharashtra TET 2026 cancelled after question paper leak in Thane, FIR filed
Synopsis
Just hours before over 4.28 lakh candidates were set to sit the Maharashtra TET 2026, Bhiwandi Police raided a Thane location and found leaked question papers — an exact match to the actual exam. The MSCE cancelled the statewide test on the spot, filed an FIR, and launched a high-level probe into whether insiders or printing networks were involved. It is the latest in a string of high-profile paper leaks shaking India's examination system.
Key Takeaways
The Maharashtra TET 2026 was cancelled on 27 June 2026 , a day before it was scheduled, following a confirmed question paper leak.
Bhiwandi Police raided a location in Thane district and detained suspects; seized papers matched the actual exam questions exactly.
An FIR has been registered at Bhiwandi Police Station against the accused individuals.
4,28,122 candidates registered across 1,028 exam centres statewide have been left in limbo.
A joint investigation by the Education Department and Thane Police is probing possible internal involvement and printing-press compromise.
The MSCE has promised a fresh exam date and revised guidelines via its official website.
The Maharashtra State Council of Examinations (MSCE) on Saturday, 27 June 2026, abruptly cancelled the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026, hours before it was due to begin across 1,028 centres statewide. The cancellation followed a joint raid by the Bhiwandi Police in Thane district that uncovered a major question paper leak — leaving 4,28,122 registered candidates in uncertainty.
How the Leak Was Discovered
Intelligence agencies received a confidential tip-off in the early hours of Saturday indicating that a group of individuals in Bhiwandi, Thane district, had obtained unauthorised access to the TET question papers. Acting on the information, a Bhiwandi Police team raided the location, detaining several suspects and seizing what were described as incriminating materials.
Senior MSCE officials were summoned to the site to verify the seized documents. Upon detailed examination, officials confirmed a definitive match — the questions found with the detained individuals were identical to those prepared for the June 2026 TET. A formal First Information Report (FIR) was subsequently registered at Bhiwandi Police Station against the accused.
Scale of Disruption
The exam had been scheduled across 1,028 centres in two separate sessions, with 4,28,122 candidates registered to appear. Many aspirants had already travelled significant distances to reach their designated centres before news of the cancellation broke. The MSCE stated the postponement was necessary to preserve absolute transparency and fairness for all candidates.
Investigation Under Way
The Education Department and Thane Police have launched a high-level joint investigation. Authorities are working to identify the mastermind behind the leak, establish how security protocols were compromised, and determine whether any internal board officials or printing-press networks were involved, according to the official MSCE release.
Broader Context and Candidate Demands
The Maharashtra TET is a mandatory qualification for candidates seeking to teach in primary (Classes 1–5) and upper primary (Classes 6–8) schools across the state. The cancellation has drawn sharp parallels to the nationwide controversies surrounding the NEET and UGC-NET paper leaks, stoking widespread outrage. Candidates are demanding stricter enforcement of anti-paper-leak legislation and immediate accountability from the education department.
The MSCE has assured candidates that a fresh examination date will be announced soon, with revised guidelines to be published on its official website. The investigation remains ongoing.
Point of View
Despite the papers reportedly circulating in Bhiwandi, raises uncomfortable questions about how early the breach occurred and why internal controls did not catch it sooner. With over 4.28 lakh candidates affected and no accountability framework yet visible, the risk is that the investigation stalls at the level of foot soldiers while the supply chain — printing presses, middlemen, and possibly board insiders — goes untouched. Maharashtra's education department must treat this as a structural failure, not a one-off criminal act.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Maharashtra TET 2026 cancelled?
The Maharashtra TET 2026 was cancelled on 27 June 2026 after Bhiwandi Police raided a location in Thane district and found question papers in the possession of detained suspects that were an exact match to the actual exam. The MSCE cancelled the test to ensure a fair and transparent process for all candidates.
How many candidates are affected by the Maharashtra TET 2026 cancellation?
A total of 4,28,122 candidates who had registered for the Maharashtra TET 2026 are affected. The exam was to be held across 1,028 centres in two sessions statewide, and many aspirants had already travelled to their designated centres before the cancellation was announced.
Has an FIR been filed in the Maharashtra TET paper leak case?
Yes, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at Bhiwandi Police Station against the individuals detained during the raid. A joint investigation by the Education Department and Thane Police is under way to identify the mastermind and trace any internal or printing-press involvement.
When will the Maharashtra TET 2026 be rescheduled?
The MSCE has stated that a fresh examination date will be announced soon. Updated information and revised guidelines will be published on the official Maharashtra State Council of Examinations website.
How does this compare to other recent paper leak controversies in India?
The Maharashtra TET leak follows high-profile paper leak controversies surrounding the NEET and UGC-NET examinations at the national level. Candidates and observers have drawn direct parallels, renewing calls for stricter enforcement of anti-paper-leak laws and greater accountability from examination authorities.
