Nashik Police on Tuesday detained one person in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case after receiving a tip-off from Rajasthan Police.
The investigation into the alleged paper leak has taken a major turn, with investigators now focusing on Nashik as a possible key centre in the wider conspiracy. According to sources, a private courier staffer allegedly helped facilitate unauthorised access to secured examination trunks, which may have led to the leak of the question paper before the exam. “A request from Rajasthan Police was received this morning for taking an individual into custody in connection with the NEET examination paper leak issue. Accordingly, Nashik police Crime Branch Unit 2 has nabbed a person,” said Kirankumar Chauhan. The development comes after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3 following allegations of a paper leak. The Government of India has also ordered a detailed investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged irregularities linked to the examination.
RELATED NEWS: Massive Protest Erupts in Delhi After NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled Over Paper Leak Allegations
30-Minute Access Under Scanner
Sources said the courier staffer allegedly enabled around 30 minutes of unauthorised access to the exam trunks. Investigators suspect the accused used portable high-definition scanners during this period to create digital copies of the question paper.
Officials believe nearly 120 Chemistry questions may have been leaked around 42 hours before the examination, giving solver gangs enough time to prepare and circulate answers across different states.
Agency Sources claim that the first copy of the leaked question paper was prepared in Nashik. This copy was allegedly sent to Haryana, where around 10 sets of the leaked paper were prepared. Thereafter, the leaked paper was reportedly circulated to Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan. Investigation into these aspects is also said to be underway.
Telegram Channels, Secret Server
Investigators suspect the leaked material was circulated through encrypted Telegram channels and groups instead of normal communication methods. Officials believe this helped the accused avoid detection during the distribution process. Sources further said the accused allegedly used a leased internet line belonging to a startup firm to disguise the illegal transfer of data as regular commercial internet activity.
The Special Operations Group (SOG) has also traced a suspected server located on the outskirts of Nashik, which may have been used to temporarily store the leaked question paper images before they were circulated further. Investigators are now trying to establish the complete chain of custody of the leaked data.
Rajasthan SOG Tracks ‘Leak Line’ Across Multiple States
Further into investigation, sources indicate that the Rajasthan SOG, during its probe into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, has traced a suspected interstate distribution network operating through multiple layers. According to sources, members of the alleged racket had reportedly met in Nashik Maharashtra, where the paper leak conspiracy is suspected to have been coordinated.
Investigators believe that from Nashik, only one physical copy of the alleged leaked paper was initially sent to Haryana. Sources further claim that in Haryana, the paper was allegedly reproduced into five separate sets. Each set reportedly contained 10 copies of the question paper.
The probe has allegedly revealed that these copies were then distributed through the network’s alleged nexus to multiple states, including Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan and Telangana. Investigators suspect that nearly 10 copies each were routed to operatives.
The NEET-UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad for nearly 23 lakh candidates. In its statement, the NTA said that findings shared by law enforcement agencies indicated that the integrity of the examination process had been compromised.
“The re-conducted examination dates, along with the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be communicated through the official channels of the Agency in the coming days,” the agency said.
Meanwhile, a protest organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) broke out outside Shastri Bhawan in Delhi following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination. Protesters were seen carrying placards reading “PM compromised, paper compromised”, “paper leak, Modi sarkar weak”, and “doctor ki degree bikao hain” (doctor's degree is for sale).
(With Inputs from Agencies)
