NTA official under CBI scanner for NEET paper leak, two insiders arrested

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is intensifying its probe into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, with recent developments indicating a potential "inside job" involving officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA). An unnamed NTA official is reportedly under CBI scrutiny as the agency seeks to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy that led to the cancellation of the crucial medical entrance examination. This focus on insider involvement comes in the wake of the arrests of two individuals identified as NTA panel experts who are believed to be key figures in orchestrating the leak. PV Kulkarni, a chemistry lecturer from Latur, and Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a botany teacher from Pune, have both been arrested by the CBI and remanded to 10-day custody. Kulkarni has been described as the alleged "kingpin" behind the leak, while Mandhare, a subject expert for the NTA, was part of the paper-setting committee. Investigators allege that Mandhare had access to confidential Botany and Zoology question papers and dictated them to selected students during special coaching classes held at her residence. Similarly, Kulkarni, leveraging his expertise and access, is accused of leaking chemistry questions and conducting similar coaching sessions. The investigation suggests that the paper leak was facilitated by an insider within the NTA who provided the question papers and answer keys on April 27, several days before the examination was held on May 3. This information was allegedly received by Manisha Sanjay Waghmare, a beauty parlour owner from Pune, who was introduced to Kulkarni through Mandhare. Waghmare is accused of collecting the questions and then passing them on to other individuals, including Dhananjay Lokhande, for further distribution. The CBI has stated that the accused destroyed question papers and related documents after the examination to eliminate evidence. The NEET-UG 2026 examination, which saw over 22.79 lakh students appear, was cancelled on May 12, 2026, following widespread allegations of paper leaks. The CBI has taken over the investigation, which has so far revealed a multi-state network involving intermediaries, coaching centres, and individuals across states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Bihar. Reports indicate that two sets of leaked papers—one handwritten and one typed—emerged from within the NTA system, with Kulkarni allegedly leaking the chemistry paper and Mandhare the biology sections. The controversy has led to significant public outcry, protests by student groups and opposition parties, and renewed calls to scrap the NEET examination. The Education Ministry has announced that the re-examination for NEET-UG 2026 will be conducted on June 21, 2026. Furthermore, the NTA has stated that from next year onwards, the NEET exam will be conducted as a computer-based test. The repeated incidents of paper leaks have raised serious concerns about the credibility and security of India's largest entrance examinations and have led to discussions about the fairness of the current admission system, with some academics suggesting a return to Class XII board marks as a partial or full basis for admissions.

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