New Delhi: The investigation into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance examination has uncovered what investigators believe to be a significant procedural weakness in the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) question paper preparation process. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has found that the same panel of subject experts was entrusted with both drafting the examination questions and translating them into regional languages. Investigators believe this overlap may have created an opportunity for sensitive examination material to be accessed and circulated before the test. The CBI has reportedly informed the NTA about this vulnerability and is expected to formally recommend procedural changes as part of its final report.
Sources associated with the investigation emphasized that the alleged breach in the 2026 examination differs fundamentally from the widely reported NEET-UG 2024 paper leak. In the 2024 case, investigators alleged that the question paper had been stolen and circulated through the involvement of an examination centre official. Following that investigation, the CBI had recommended several security measures relating to printing, transportation and handling of examination papers. Those safeguards were implemented by the NTA during the 2025 and 2026 examinations, and investigators have indicated that there is no evidence suggesting a conventional paper leak similar to the 2024 incident.
Instead, the current investigation points to the alleged unauthorized circulation of a question bank before the examination. According to investigators, a woman identified as Manisha Waghmare, who reportedly worked as a beautician and was acquainted with certain teachers associated with the examination process, allegedly obtained access to the question bank through students attending private tuition classes. Investigators claim that the material was subsequently typed into the format of an examination paper and sold to Dhananjay Nivrutti Lokhande, who allegedly distributed it through intermediaries across multiple states in exchange for substantial sums of money.
Officials familiar with the investigation believe Waghmare’s alleged role was central to the expansion of the network. According to sources, investigators suspect that without her involvement, the unauthorized circulation of the material may not have spread on such a large scale. Based on the evidence collected so far, the CBI has arrested 13 individuals in connection with the case. The agency continues to investigate the alleged financial transactions, communication records, and links between the accused to determine the complete scope of the network.
The investigation has also identified three subject experts from Pune who were part of the NTA’s expert panel. According to the CBI’s findings, chemistry expert P. V. Kulkarni, physics expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare and biology expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar were assigned both the responsibility of preparing examination questions and translating them into Marathi. Investigators are examining whether assigning multiple sensitive responsibilities to the same panel created an avoidable risk in the examination process. However, the investigation has not publicly alleged that these experts themselves leaked the examination material, and inquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, in a separate development related to the examination, the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court dismissed petitions filed by four students challenging the NEET examination results. The petitioners had alleged irregularities in the conduct of the examination and sought judicial intervention regarding the outcome.
A Division Bench comprising Justice N. B. Suryawanshi and Justice A. D. Shinde held that the allegations made by the petitioners were not supported by sufficient material and dismissed all four petitions. The court also imposed costs of ₹5,000 on each petitioner for making what it described as unsubstantiated allegations.
The CBI’s investigation into the alleged examination irregularities remains in progress. Officials are continuing to analyse digital evidence, financial records and witness statements while examining the procedural safeguards adopted during question paper preparation and translation. Any recommendations regarding changes to the examination process are expected to be submitted to the NTA after completion of the investigation, while the criminal proceedings against the accused will continue in accordance with law.
