CBI Cracks down on NEET UG Leak Network, Arrests Woman Lecturer

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a second alleged mastermind in the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak case. According to Hindustan Times, the accused is a woman biology lecturer, identified as Manisha Mandhare, who was part of the National Testing Agency’s paper setting committee. The agency says she followed the same method as retired chemistry lecturer P V Kulkarni, whom investigators had already described as the first kingpin in the case. Officials said she allegedly dictated the leaked questions, along with the answer options and correct responses, to students who had paid for special classes.

The arrest comes shortly after the CBI detained retired chemistry lecturer P. V. Kulkarni, who investigators earlier identified as the main source of the leak. Officials believe both accused had direct access to confidential NEET-UG examination material through their association with the NTA examination process.

According to the CBI, Kulkarni allegedly conducted “special coaching classes” at his residence in Pune during the last week of April. During these sessions, he reportedly dictated questions, multiple choice options and correct answers to students. Investigators said handwritten notes recovered from students matched the actual Chemistry section of the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3.

The newly accused biology teacher is accused of using a similar method. Investigators believe she leaked biology questions to selected candidates in exchange for large sums of money. Hindustan Times reported that she was part of the NTA expert panel responsible for preparing question papers, giving her direct access to confidential exam content.
The CBI said in a statement on Saturday that Manisha Gurunath Mandhare has been arrested after a thorough probe. “She was involved in the NEET UG 2026 examination process and was appointed by NTA as an expert. She had complete access to the Botany and Zoology question papers,” the agency said.
The CBI added that during April 2026, Mandhare “had mobilized prospective NEET examination candidates through Manisha Waghmare of Pune, who runs a beauty parlour and was arrested on May 14, and conducted coaching classes for these students at her Pune residence”.

Officials believe that the paper was circulated through a chain of middlemen before reaching students. According to the investigations cited by Hindustan Times, both Kulkarni and Mandhare allegedly ran special coaching sessions in Pune, where questions were dictated and written down by students. “During these classes, Mandhare explained and disclosed various questions from Botany and Zoology subjects and made the students note down the same in their notebooks and also mark them in their textbooks. Majority of these questions tallied with the actual question paper of the NEET UG 2026 examination held on May 3,” the CBI said.
The probe further suggests that the leaked papers were shared through Telegram and other messaging platforms.
“This is the first time in paper leak probes we have found the source of leak at NTA. Once the paper was leaked and its PDFs were out on messaging groups, there could have been hundreds of beneficiaries. We will trace all of them but first we are working on the source of the leak and their associates,” an officer requesting anonymity said as reported by the Hindustan Times.

The CBI has traced the circulation chain of the leaked NEET-UG paper after it allegedly reached Kulkarni’s coaching classes. Investigators claimed Nashik based Shubham Khairnar contacted Gurugram resident Yash Yadav in April, stating that a man identified as Mangilal Biwal, also known as Mangilal Khatik, was willing to pay ₹10–12 lakh for leaked papers for his younger son. Khairnar allegedly promised 500–600 leaked physics, chemistry, and biology questions capable of securing admission to reputed medical colleges and asked for Class 10 and 12 documents, a NEET roll number, and a cheque as security. On April 29, Yadav allegedly received PDF copies of the leaked questions through Telegram and forwarded them to Mangilal, with the deal depending on around 150 questions matching the actual paper for a payment of ₹10 lakh. The CBI alleged that Mangilal distributed printed copies to family members, his son’s friends, and a teacher named Satyanarayan, while also supplying answer sheets in exchange for money. Investigators said incriminating evidence was recovered from his mobile phone.

On May 12, the NTA officially cancelled the examination and handed over the investigation to the CBI. The agency later announced that the re-examination would be conducted on June 21, 2026.
Investigators have also uncovered a larger network spread across multiple states. According to reports, several arrests have already been made, including alleged middlemen and individuals linked to coaching institutes. Rajasthan’s Sikar district has emerged as a major point in the suspected leak network.

“Investigation is continuing with the special teams and the investigation conducted so far has brought out the actual source of the leakage of Chemistry and Biology papers as well as the middlemen involved in mobilising the students who paid lakhs of rupees to attend the special coaching classes where the questions which would come in the NEET UG-2026 exam were dictated and discussed,” the CBI said.