NEET paper leak an inside job? NTA official now under CBI scanner

NEET-UG 2026: The revelation comes following the arrests of Manisha Sanjay Waghmare and chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni in connection with the paper leak, which led to the cancellation of the May 3 examination. Both the accused have been sent to 10-day CBI custody.

In Short

• Manisha Waghmare, PV Kulkarni sent to 10-day CBI custody
• Paper leak may be linked to an NTA official, say sources
• NEET-UG 2026 re-exam scheduled for June 21, 2026

The investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak is uncovering increasingly murky details, with an unnamed official associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) now reportedly under the CBI’s scrutiny.

The revelation comes following the arrests of Manisha Sanjay Waghmare and chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni in connection with the paper leak, which led to the cancellation of the May 3 examination. Both the accused have been sent to 10-day CBI custody.

INSIDE JOB LEAD TO PAPER LEAK?

Sources said that while seeking Waghmare’s custody, the CBI uncovered signs of a possible inside job. The agency alleged that she, along with other accused and an unnamed NTA official, received the question papers and answer keys on April 27.

Waghmare was introduced to Kulkarni – the alleged kingpin behind the paper leak – through biology lecturer Manisha Mandhare, a member of the NTA’s paper-setting committee, who was arrested on Saturday, the agency said.

According to the CBI, Waghmare collected the questions from Kulkarni and provided them to another accused, Dhananjay Lokhande, and others in exchange for money. Lokhande, who was arrested from Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar on May 13, is accused of further distributing the questions.

The handwritten chemistry questions shared by Kulkarni with aspirants have reportedly been destroyed. Waghmare is also said to have destroyed papers after the examination on May 3.

NEET-UG 2026 EXAM ON JUNE 21

Amid the CBI probe, the NTA announced that NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will now be conducted on Sunday, June 21, 2026, following the cancellation of the earlier exam amid the paper leak controversy that triggered nationwide outrage.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has also announced that the NEET exam will be conducted as a computer-based test from next year onwards. Passing the examination opens the door to medical colleges across India.

The controversy, however, has raised serious concerns regarding the credibility and security of one of India’s largest entrance examinations.

- Ends