NEET-UG 2026 leak: 10 arrested as CBI widens probe; protests ensue; politicians, educators, students react

Test conducted on May 3 for over 22 lakh candidates; cancelled days later as paper leaks surfaced from Rajasthan; around 120 questions matched leaked “guess paper”

New Delhi: In the case of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, ten people have so far been arrested and are being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, as authorities continue probing how the examination paper was leaked and identifying those involved in the scam. The latest arrest was on Monday, Shivraj Motegaonkar, who operates a coaching institute in Maharashtra’s Latur. He is the 10th person to be taken into custody in the ongoing probe.

Last week, students and several organisations intensified protests in New Delhi outside the National Testing Agency office and at Jantar Mantar, with protesters demanding accountability, strict action against those involved and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Students Islamic Organisation of India, Karnataka zone, also staged a protest on May 17 in Koppal.

Chronology of the case

On May 3, the National Testing Agency conducted the test for over 22 lakh candidates across India and abroad under heightened security arrangements, including biometric verification, GPS-tracked paper transport and CCTV surveillance.

On the evening of May 3, soon after the examination, reports emerged from Rajasthan, particularly coaching hubs like Sikar, that a handwritten “guess paper” circulating before the exam closely matched the actual question paper. A chemistry teacher reportedly verified similarities between the leaked PDF and the original exam paper.

On May 7-8, the NTA received inputs regarding possible malpractice and alleged paper leaks. The matter was escalated to central agencies and law enforcement authorities for verification.

On May 10-12, officials found that around 120 questions — mostly from Biology and Chemistry — matched the leaked “suggestion paper”. Authorities began tracing a suspected multi-state network spanning Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar and Uttarakhand.

On May 12, the NTA cancelled the May 3 examination, saying the integrity of the test had been compromised. The Centre handed over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive investigation. Fresh examination dates were promised later, and then the date of May 21 was announced for re-examination.

Students and organisations, including the National Students’ Union of India, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union, staged protests in Delhi and several other cities demanding accountability, punishment for those involved and reforms in the examination system.

On May 14-16, the first major arrests were made. The CBI and State police forces nabbed several accused across multiple states. officials uncovered a network allegedly involving coaching operators, middlemen, medical students and examination-linked insiders. Raids were conducted in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Bihar.

Officials identified Pune-based chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni as a major suspect. According to the probe, he allegedly dictated questions and answers during special coaching sessions conducted before the examination. Students reportedly wrote down questions that later matched the actual NEET paper

On May 19, the CBI arrested Shivraj Motegaonkar, operator of a coaching institute in Latur. He became the 10th person arrested in the case. Investigators suspect coaching centres played a major role in distributing leaked material and identifying beneficiaries.

The CBI is now examining the role of more than 60 suspected beneficiaries from Rajasthan’s Sikar coaching ecosystem. Raids have also been conducted in Nagpur and Chandrapur, where investigators seized documents linked to the alleged leak network.

Previous major NEET and medical entrance leaks

Before NEET became the sole medical entrance examination, the Supreme Court cancelled the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) after a large-scale paper leak racket using electronic devices was uncovered across several states. The examination was re-conducted within weeks.

NEET-UG 2024 was marred by allegations of paper leaks and irregularities, particularly in Bihar and Gujarat. Massive protests erupted across the country. The Supreme Court, however, declined to cancel the entire examination, saying there was insufficient evidence of a systemic nationwide leak. A re-test was ordered only for candidates who received controversial grace marks.

In 2025, the CBI arrested persons accused of running a score-fixing racket linked to NEET aspirants. Though allegations of leaks surfaced, investigators primarily focused on manipulation and fraudulent score enhancement schemes.

Devastated students

Arushi Mittal, an 18-year-old NEET aspirant from Ranchi, Jharkhand, said she first learned of the cancellation through a friend before verifying it through official news reports.

“It’s not just about going and giving the exam again,” Mittal said. “It’s about the whole structure of pressure, constant anxiety, and fear built around it.”

Mittal said she believes NEET should have an upper age limit and should be conducted as a computer-based test to improve fairness and security. She added that she is now considering moving away from the medical entrance route and pursuing research in biotechnology or biochemistry.

One aspirant from Anantnag district of Kashmir, Simran, who appeared for the first time, told FPK, “We spent years preparing for this exam, and now one paper leak has put the future of lakhs of students in uncertainty. It feels unfair to honest aspirants.”

“My daughter prepared for this exam for two years, but after what has happened, we have lost faith and interest in such examinations now,” Kamlesh from Maharashtra’s Thane told FPK over the phone.

Politicians react

Rahul Gandhi demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing the government of failing to safeguard the future of students.

Opposition parties alleged that the controversy exposed the failure of the examination system and the growing influence of an “education mafia” operating across states.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who heads a parliamentary panel, had also summoned National Testing Agency officials and the Higher Education Secretary to seek details about the leak and the ongoing investigation.

Several Opposition leaders demanded structural reforms in the National Testing Agency and accused the Centre of repeatedly failing to prevent paper leaks in national-level examinations.

In Maharashtra’s Akola, workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Congress staged protests after the arrest of coaching operator Shivraj Motegaonkar. Demonstrators vandalised coaching centres and accused the government of failing students.

Congress leaders in Maharashtra described the leak as evidence of “systemic corruption” in the education sector and demanded stringent punishment for those responsible.

Popular educator Khan Sir reacted emotionally to the controversy and spoke about the mental stress and uncertainty faced by students after the exam cancellation. Many other educators from across the nation have sought strict action against the accused and justice for students.