‘Guaranteed 500-600 Marks’: WhatsApp Chats Reveal NEET-UG Paper Leak Accused’s Scam Pitch

WhatsApp chats recovered during the investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scam have revealed that key accused Shubham Khairnar allegedly assured candidates scores between 500 and 600 marks.

According to sources, Khairnar had contacted his supplier, Yash Yadav from Pune, in April seeking a copy of the NEET question paper.

The deal for the leaked paper was allegedly finalised by April 29, NDTV reported.

Investigators said Khairnar and other accused then approached NEET aspirants with promises of securing high scores and admissions to reputed medical colleges.

The probe into the scam, which led to the cancellation of the May 3 NEET-UG exam results and the rescheduling of the test for June 21, also uncovered details of digital communications

exchanged via WhatsApp among the accused.

Who Is Shubham Khairnar And How Was He Arrested?

Shubham Khairnar, a 30-year-old BAMS student from Nashik’s Indiranagar area, is among the key accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case. According to investigators, he allegedly purchased the leaked NEET-UG question paper from a Pune-based suspect for Rs 10 lakh and later sold it to a buyer in Haryana for Rs 15 lakh, making a profit of Rs 5 lakh.

The CBI detained Shubham on Tuesday afternoon while he was reportedly on his way to a temple to offer prayers. Officials said he had cut his hair to alter his appearance and avoid being identified. However, investigators were able to track and identify him using older photographs and technical surveillance inputs.

Khairnar, allegedly assured others that the scheme would succeed and offered a “guarantee” that candidates would score between 500 and 600 marks in the NEET-UG exam, which is conducted for a total of 720 marks.

Investigators said WhatsApp chats recovered from his mobile phone showed that Khairnar was in regular contact with a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in circulating the leaked question papers.

The CBI has seized chat records, copies of the leaked papers and other digital evidence from his phone as part of the investigation. After originating in Maharashtra, the leaked paper allegedly spread to multiple states, including Gurugram in Haryana, Jaipur and Sikar in Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and Kerala.