The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested another key mastermind in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, exposing the deep-rooted conspiracy behind the leakage of Biology questions that compromised the integrity of the national medical entrance examination.
In a major breakthrough, the CBI has taken into custody Ms. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune, Maharashtra, for her alleged role in leaking Biology questions of the NEET-UG 2026 exam. Mandhare, who was appointed as an expert by the National Testing Agency (NTA), had complete access to Botany and Zoology question papers.
According to investigators, Mandhare mobilized prospective candidates through her associate, Manisha Wagmare of Pune (arrested earlier on May 14, 2026), and conducted special coaching sessions at her residence. During these sessions, she disclosed and explained questions from the upcoming exam, instructing students to note them down in their notebooks and mark them in their textbooks. A significant number of these questions matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 paper held on May 3.
In the past 24 hours, CBI has carried out searches at six locations across the country, seizing incriminating documents, laptops, bank statements, and mobile phones. The seized materials are currently under detailed forensic and financial analysis.
The case was registered on May 12, 2026, following a complaint by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. Since then, special investigation teams have conducted nationwide raids, interrogated suspects, and made arrests across Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nasik, Pune, and Ahliyanagar. So far, nine accused have been arrested, with several already remanded to police custody for interrogation.
Investigations have revealed the chain of leakage involving Chemistry and Biology papers, middlemen who mobilized students, and the financial transactions where candidates allegedly paid lakhs of rupees to access leaked questions through coaching classes.
The CBI has reiterated its commitment to conducting a comprehensive, impartial, and professional investigation to ensure accountability and restore public trust in the examination system.
