NEET-UG 2026 Re-exam Impersonation: 30 Arrested in Bihar's Lakhisarai

Authorities in Bihar have unearthed a significant cheating racket during the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination held on Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Lakhisarai district. While the initial reports focused on the detention of nine individuals suspected of impersonation, further investigation revealed a much broader network of fraud. The police have confirmed a total of 30 arrests in connection with the alleged malpractices. The arrested individuals include nine alleged impersonators who attempted to write the re-exam on behalf of registered candidates. These impersonators were highly qualified, comprising fourth-year MBBS students from prestigious institutions like New Jalpaiguri Medical College (West Bengal), AIIMS Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), and AN Magadh Medical College (Bihar), along with a first-year student from Government Medical College in Satna (Madhya Pradesh), and an MBBS intern from University College of Medical Sciences in Shahdara (Delhi). Also among them were a fourth-year B.Pharma student, a BSc nursing student from BHU, and a BAMS student from Government Ayurvedic College in Odisha. Beyond the impersonators, the crackdown led to the apprehension of 21 other individuals. This larger group included 18 staff members associated with the biometric verification system at the examination centers, a genuine candidate who was facilitating the fraud, and two other associates. These biometric staff members were allegedly colluding with dummy candidates and middlemen to compromise the verification process, allowing the impersonators to gain entry and appear for the exam. The re-examination itself was necessitated by widespread allegations of a question paper leak during the original NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was initially conducted in early May. This context underscores the persistent challenges in maintaining the integrity of high-stakes national entrance examinations. The NEET-UG is India's sole nationwide test for admission to undergraduate medical programs, and controversies surrounding it deeply impact millions of aspiring doctors. Preliminary investigations by the Bihar police, including statements from Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shivam Kumar, indicated that the cheating racket involved substantial financial transactions. Each candidate seeking an impersonator was allegedly charged between ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh, with an advance payment of ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh. The remaining amount was reportedly to be paid upon the successful clearing of the examination. The raids were conducted at multiple examination centers in Lakhisarai, specifically at KRK High School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, and Hasanpur School. The police have identified key masterminds behind this sophisticated network. Ravi Shankar, a student from Pavapuri Medical College in Rajgir, and Arpit Raj, from the ANM Medical College and Hospital in Gaya, have been named as the alleged orchestrators. Notably, Arpit Raj had previously been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the 2024 NEET paper leak case, suggesting a possible pattern of involvement in examination fraud. The masterminds allegedly recruited current medical students to act as "solvers" or impersonators. Three separate First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in connection with the case at Kiul and Kavaiyya police stations in the district, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Public Examination Act, 2024. District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar and Superintendent of Police Prerna Kumar are personally overseeing the ongoing investigation, with authorities anticipating more arrests as the inquiry progresses. This incident in Lakhisarai is part of a larger series of irregularities and alleged malpractices that have plagued the NEET-UG examination in recent years. For instance, the NEET-UG 2024 exam was also embroiled in controversy due to allegations of paper leaks and an unusually high number of top scorers, leading to widespread protests and legal challenges. While the Supreme Court acknowledged some direct beneficiaries of the 2024 paper leak, it declined a full re-examination, citing insufficient evidence of systemic failure. The persistence of such incidents raises serious questions about the security protocols and institutional oversight mechanisms governing India's critical entrance examinations, impacting the mental health and futures of millions of students.

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