The investigation into the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case is increasingly pointing to what the Central Bureau of Investigation describes as a possible inside network within the examination system, with a Delhi court remanding a Pune based biology lecturer to 14 days of CBI custody as the agency expands scrutiny of those connected to the preparation and handling of the paper.
Court Notes Signs of Wider Conspiracy
During proceedings before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, the CBI alleged that biology lecturer Manisha Gurunath Mandare conspired with Professor Prahlad Vitthal Rao Kulkarni and other accused in leaking confidential examination material. While granting custodial interrogation, the court observed that the facts, surrounding circumstances and the nature of the allegations pointed towards a larger conspiracy.
The court said detailed interrogation was necessary given the seriousness of the case and its wider implications. According to the agency, several additional individuals linked to the alleged network are yet to be identified and arrested, indicating that the investigation is still unfolding.
The CBI told the court that Mandare was associated with the National Testing Agency’s expert panel and was reportedly involved in the process connected to preparation of the NEET UG paper. Investigators alleged that this role gave her access to confidential examination material that was later leaked to selected candidates in exchange for substantial financial gains.
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NTA Panel Links and Access Under Scrutiny
According to the agency, the alleged syndicate supplied question papers and answers to certain aspirants before the examination after collecting large sums of money. Investigators are now trying to determine at what stage the confidential material became accessible and how many people may have participated in the alleged operation.
Sources familiar with the probe said Mandare was arrested from a hotel in Mathura. Investigators suspect that she had been frequently changing locations and communication channels in an effort to avoid detection. The CBI is now examining her electronic devices, call detail records, emails, financial transactions and digital communication trails.
The appearance of Professor P V Kulkarni’s name in the case has further widened the scope of the inquiry. Officials believe the matter may not be confined to an isolated breach but could involve a broader network extending across multiple levels of the examination ecosystem. As a result, the agency has intensified scrutiny of several NTA subject experts, officials and staff linked to the NEET UG 2026 process.
Security Systems, Records and Footage Being Examined
The CBI has sought detailed records from NTA management regarding all panel members, experts and employees associated with the examination. According to sources, investigators are attempting to reconstruct communication patterns and interactions among those involved in question paper preparation, storage, handling and transmission.
The agency has also requested CCTV footage from NTA strong room facilities where the examination material was reportedly kept. Investigators are examining whether there were any procedural lapses, unauthorised access incidents or irregularities in the security protocols governing the handling of confidential papers. Digital access logs, internal records and movement data are also under analysis.
The line of inquiry now suggests that investigators are looking beyond individual culpability to assess whether structural weaknesses in the exam system may have enabled the alleged leak. Officials are also tracing suspected financial transactions and examining whether confidential material was circulated digitally or through intermediaries across different states. The CBI believes that as the probe advances, more significant details may emerge about the operational structure of the alleged paper leak network and the extent of the suspected inside links.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
