**Executive Summary**
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Ms. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, an NTA-appointed expert, for the alleged leak of Biology questions in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. Following a complaint by the Ministry of Education on May 12, 2026, the probe revealed that exam content was disclosed during private coaching sessions held in April 2026. To date, nine individuals have been arrested across India, with five currently in seven-day police custody as investigations into both Biology and Chemistry paper leaks continue.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Arrest of Key Suspects**
* Ms. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a Senior Botany Teacher and National Testing Agency (NTA) expert, was arrested in Delhi.
* Ms. Mandhare allegedly used her official access to Botany and Zoology question papers to facilitate the leak.
* Another key associate, Manisha Wagmare, was previously arrested on May 14, 2026, for mobilizing prospective candidates.
**Methodology of the Paper Leak**
* Unauthorized coaching classes were conducted at Ms. Mandhare’s residence in Pune during April 2026.
* Examination questions were reportedly dictated to students and marked in textbooks prior to the exam.
* Post-exam analysis confirmed that a majority of the leaked questions matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 paper held on May 3, 2026.
**Investigative Progress and Seizures**
* CBI registered the case on May 12, 2026, following a formal complaint from the Department of Higher Education.
* Searches conducted at six locations nationwide resulted in the seizure of laptops, mobile phones, bank statements, and incriminating documents.
* A total of nine arrests have been made in cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar.
**Ongoing Inquiry Scope**
* The investigation is currently targeting the source of leaks for both Chemistry and Biology papers.
* Special teams are identifying middlemen who charged students substantial amounts to attend illegal coaching sessions.
* Five accused individuals are undergoing detailed interrogation under a seven-day remand.
**Impact Analysis**
**National Testing Agency (NTA)**
**Impact**
The agency's internal security was compromised by an appointed expert who had complete access to sensitive examination material.
**Action Required**
The NTA must cooperate with the CBI probe and likely review its expert appointment and paper-handling protocols to prevent future breaches.
**Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)**
**Impact**
The CBI is leading a multi-city investigation involving forensic analysis of digital devices and financial records.
**Action Required**
Special teams must conclude the interrogation of the nine arrested suspects and complete the analysis of seized incriminating materials.
**Prospective NEET-UG 2026 Candidates**
**Impact**
Candidates who participated in the illegal coaching sessions are under investigation, while the broader student body faces uncertainty regarding the examination's integrity.
**Action Required**
Involved students may be subject to investigation; all candidates must await official updates regarding the status of the NEET-UG 2026 results.
**The Accused (Manisha Mandhare and Associates)**
**Impact**
The individuals face criminal charges and are currently in police custody or undergoing transit remand between Pune and Delhi.
**Action Required**
The accused must be produced before competent courts for legal proceedings and continued interrogation.
Key Entities Referenced
NEET-UG 2026 Examination: The national-level medical entrance exam which is the central subject of the paper leak investigation.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The primary investigative agency responsible for probing the criminal allegations and arresting the masterminds.
National Testing Agency (NTA): The autonomous body under the Ministry of Education responsible for conducting the examination and appointing subject experts.
Department of Higher Education: The government department within the Ministry of Education that filed the formal complaint initiating the CBI probe.
Manisha Gurunath Mandhare: A key accused and NTA-appointed expert from Pune identified as a mastermind in leaking the Biology question papers.
Ministry of Education
NEET-UG 2026 Leak Probe: CBI Nabs NTA Expert
from Pune for Alleged Biology Paper Leak
CBI Arrests Senior Teacher from Pune in NEET-UG 2026
Paper Leak Case
Posted On: 16 MAY 2026 6:42PM by PIB Mumbai
:Pune, May 16, 2026
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has identified another mastermind
involved in the alleged leak of Biology questions in the NEET-UG 2026 Examination.
A key accused, Ms. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a Senior Botany Teacher from
Pune, Maharashtra, has been arrested in Delhi following sustained interrogation by
the CBI. The accused was associated with the NEET UG 2026 examination process
and had been appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an expert. She
allegedly had complete access to the Botany and Zoology question papers.
Investigation has revealed that during April 2026, the accused mobilised prospective
NEET candidates through another accused, Manisha Wagmare of Pune, who was
arrested earlier on 14 May 2026. It was further found that special coaching classes
were conducted at the residence of Ms. Mandhare in Pune, where several questions
from Botany and Zoology were allegedly disclosed, discussed and dictated to
students. Candidates were reportedly instructed to note down the questions in
notebooks and mark them in textbooks. A majority of these questions were found to
match the actual NEET UG 2026 question paper conducted on 03 May 2026.
During the last 24 hours, CBI conducted searches at six locations across the country
and seized several incriminating documents, laptops, bank statements and mobile
phones. Detailed analysis of the seized materials is underway.
The case was registered by CBI on 12 May 2026 on the basis of a written complaint
received from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education,
Government of India, regarding the alleged paper leak of the NEET-UG 2026
Examination.
So far, nine accused have been arrested from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune
and Ahilyanagar. Out of these, five accused have already been produced before the
competent court and remanded to seven days of police custody for detailedinterrogation. Two accused arrested yesterday were produced before a court in Pune
and subsequently shifted to Delhi after obtaining transit remand. They are being
produced before the Delhi court.
Investigation conducted so far has revealed the alleged source of leakage of
Chemistry and Biology papers, as well as the role of middlemen involved in
mobilising students who allegedly paid substantial amounts to attend the special
coaching sessions where examination questions were discussed. CBI stated that
investigation in the matter is continuing through special teams and reaffirmed its
commitment to a comprehensive, impartial and professional probe into the case.
***
PIB Mumbai | Robin Singh/Parshuram Kor
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PI
BMumbai /pibmumbai
(Release ID: 2261790) Visitor Counter : 1200
Read this release in: Marathi