The NEET-UG paper leak case of 2026 occurred due to alleged leaks of a few questions prior to the administration of the NEET-UG medical entrance exam held on 3 May. The statewide investigation led by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the cancellation of the examination came about due to complaints that started out as minor but grew into one of the biggest testing scandals in India.
May 3, 2026 – NEET-UG Examination Conducted
More than 22 lakh candidates appeared for the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted by the NTA. Both students and their coaching centers confirmed the existence of guess papers and questions that were similar to those in the actual exam.
May 10, 2026 – NTA Begins Preliminary Inquiry
The NTA issued its first formal statement regarding the issue and began investigating allegations of possible document leak.
May 12, 2026 – Exam Cancelled, CBI Probe Ordered
As soon as the leaks about the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper were proven, the government decided to cancel the test through the ministry of education. A new investigation was set to take place by the CBI and was supposed to happen on June 21.
May 13–15, 2026 – First Arrests and FIR Registered
On May 12, the CBI initiated the process of filing a legal complaint and raiding areas in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The first major arrest happened because of a link to organized coaching that was said to distribute the leaked questions.The main accused in the leaks was the professor of chemistry from Pune, who was referred to as the “kingpin” of this scam. The professor was arrested by the CBI on May 15 for being involved in the leakage and having inside information about the test process.
May 16–18, 2026 – Mastermind and Coaching Links Surface
With more revelations on how coaching institutes in one state have connections with the intermediaries in another state, the case expanded rapidly. Another major player behind the biology question leak scandal network, Manisha Mandhare, was arrested.
CBI also raided various coaching institutes, including those operating in Latur in Maharashtra as they suspected that there was a major question leak center based there.
May 19–22, 2026 – Maharashtra and Vidarbha Connection Emerges
Some of the areas under investigation were the districts of Vidarbha, Nagpur, Chandrapur, and Beed. Those suspected of purchasing the leaks, which included parents, professors, and students, were interrogated by the CBI. As per media reports, the candidates used intermediaries at the coaching institutes to procure their leaks.
One such institute was the Renukai Career Centre (RCC), which is based in Latur. As part of the network, RCC was known to be very important. The owner of RCC, Shivraj Motegaonkar, was arrested by CBI for allegedly orchestrating the leakage of questions. This incident caused protests in Maharashtra.
May 21–22, 2026 – Parliamentary Panel Questions NTA
The legislative committee interrogated high-ranking officials of the NTA in connection with the breach after there had been growing outrage amongst the general populace.
May 23–24, 2026 – More Arrests Across Multiple States
The CBI went ahead and arrested several other accused individuals from Pune, Jaipur, Gurugram, and Nashik. Evidence such as electronic equipment, monetary documents, and evidence of communication links between the accused and the paper leak ring was found by the investigative authorities.
May 24–25, 2026 – Pune School Principal Arrested
Recently, Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, the principal of a school in Pune, has been arrested on allegations of copying physics questions by heart post-examination and distributing them among students in exchange for money.
Latest Status of the Case
In relation to the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak case, more than ten people have been arrested thus far, including teachers, tutors, administrators, and intermediaries. On one hand, political parties and student groups demand more rigorous reforms to India's examination system; on the other hand, CBI is conducting searches and arrests in various states.
