The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has concluded that the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak was the result of a well-organised, multi-state criminal conspiracy in which confidential examination questions were allegedly leaked by National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts and passed through a chain of intermediaries to candidates in exchange for huge sums of money.
The agency has filed a chargesheet before the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue, Delhi, naming 13 accused, including three NTA subject experts, coaching operators, middlemen and candidates.
According to the chargesheet, the investigation revealed that three NTA-appointed subject experts Botany expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare (A-1), Chemistry expert Prahlad Vithalrao Kulkarni (A-2) and Physics expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar (A-3) allegedly abused their official positions to illegally access confidential NEET-UG 2026 question papers and share them with members of the conspiracy before the examination.
The CBI has invoked offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The investigation, according to the agency, uncovered a structured supply chain through which the leaked papers travelled from the experts to coaching operators and brokers before finally reaching candidates.
Also Read: NEET-PG 2026: Centre tightens security, rolls out student-friendly reforms ahead of exam
NEET Paper Leak: Who Are The Accused The CBI alleges that private accused Tejas Shah (A-4), Shivraj Motegaonkar (A-5), Dr Manoj Shirure (A-6), Manisha Sanjay Waghmare (A-7), Dhananjay Lokhande (A-8), Shubham Khairnar (A-9), Yash Yadav (A-10), Mangilal Biwal (A-11), Dinesh Biwal (A-12) and Vikas Biwal (A-13) played different roles in distributing the leaked questions and arranging payments.
The chargesheet states that forensic examination of seized mobile phones, pen drives and other digital devices revealed PDF and image files containing leaked NEET questions. Investigators claim that these files were exchanged through Telegram, WhatsApp and other instant messaging platforms several days before the examination.
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The CBI says the digital evidence establishes the movement of the leaked questions across multiple accused.
Tracing the chain of circulation, the CBI alleges that Mangilal Biwal (A-11) received leaked questions through Telegram from co-accused Yash Yadav (A-10). The agency claims Biwal subsequently handed over original
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