The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak was the result of a “well-organised multi-state criminal conspiracy” involving National Testing Agency (NTA)-appointed
subject experts, coaching operators, brokers and candidates, according to sources.
In its chargesheet, the agency has named 13 accused and claimed the leak was meticulously planned months before the entrance examination rather than being a last-minute operation.
NTA-Appointed Subject Experts Misused Access
According to the CBI, three NTA-appointed subject experts in Botany, Chemistry and Physics allegedly misused their official roles to gain access to confidential examination papers.
Investigators claimed the experts were cultivated well in advance and became part of a coordinated network that facilitated the movement of leaked question papers through multiple intermediaries before they reached candidates, as per the sources.
Also Read: NTA Sacks 47 Officials In Major Crackdown Amid NEET Paper Leak Row, More Terminations Likely
The agency alleged that coaching operators, brokers and private intermediaries created a confidential supply chain to distribute the papers.
WhatsApp, Telegram, PDFs: CBI Details Digital Trail
It claimed that WhatsApp, Telegram, PDF documents and photographs were used to circulate the leaked questions, while forensic examination of seized mobile phones helped investigators reconstruct the flow of the papers across the network.
The chargesheet stated that digital evidence recovered from the devices included chats, leaked question papers and documents.
A mobile phone seized from accused Yash Yadav allegedly contained PDF files of leaked NEET questions along with Telegram conversations.
Investigators also found a contact saved as “AP Broker”, which the CBI identified as co-accused Shubham Madhukar Khairnar.
According to the agency, forensic extraction also revealed a WhatsApp group titled “NEET 2026”, which investigators believe was used during the conspiracy.
The CBI said call detail records, extraction reports and forensic analyses corroborated witness statements and formed a crucial part of the evidence collected during the probe.
How Papers Were Leaked Through Structured Chain?
The agency alleged that the leaked papers moved through a structured chain beginning with NTA-appointed subject experts before passing through private operators and brokers.
It claimed accused Mangilal Biwal received leaked questions from Yash Yadav over Telegram, while Shubham Khairnar allegedly procured the papers from Dhananjay Lokhande for Rs 25 lakh. Lokhande, in turn, allegedly obtained the questions from Manisha Sanjay Waghmare.
Also Read: AI, Blockchain And Tighter Security Measures Part Of NEET Reforms: Centre To SC
Investigators further alleged that Waghmare remained in contact with NTA Chemistry expert Prahlad Kulkarni, who had worked on the Marathi-to-English back translation of the Chemistry paper. The agency claimed Biology and Chemistry questions were obtained through students introduced to NTA experts.
Question Papers Offered For Rs 4 Lakh
The chargesheet also alleged that one candidate and his father were offered access to the question papers for Rs 4 lakh. It further claimed that one of the NTA-appointed subject experts conducted offline revision classes after obtaining access to the confidential material.
According to the CBI, key interactions among the accused date back to late 2025 and early 2026, indicating that the conspiracy had been planned well before the examination.
During searches, investigators allegedly recovered original Class X and XII certificates and a signed blank cheque, which they believe were kept as security for payment.
The agency has invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. It described the electronic trail as one of the strongest pillars of its case and said all 13 accused named in the chargesheet are currently in judicial custody.
The CBI has maintained that the alleged paper leak was a coordinated operation involving public servants, coaching operators, brokers and candidates, with digital evidence playing a central role in tracing the movement of the confidential examination papers through the network.
All About NEET Paper Leak Controversy
The controversy erupted after investigators discovered that a so-called “guess paper” circulating before the exam allegedly matched a large number of questions from the actual NEET paper. Reports suggested that nearly 120 to 140 questions overlapped with the final exam paper.
Initially, the NTA dismissed rumours circulating on social media and messaging apps. However, state police units and later central agencies began probing suspicious activity linked to coaching centres and middlemen across multiple states.
According to investigators, copies of the paper may have been circulated through courier networks, encrypted messaging apps and coaching circles operating across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar and Kerala.
On May 12, the NTA officially cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was conducted on May 3, saying the integrity of the examination process had been compromised. The Centre handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The cancellation affected nearly 23 lakh aspirants and marked one of the biggest disruptions in the history of India’s medical entrance examinations.
