CBI Arrests NEET-UG Paper-Setting Committee Member in Leak Scandal
Arrest of Biology Lecturer in NEET-UG Paper Leak Case
NSUI members being detained during a demonstration against NTA over alleged question paper leak in the NEET-UG, in New Delhi, on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi, May 16: On Saturday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended a biology lecturer involved in the National Testing Agency's (NTA) committee responsible for setting the NEET-UG exam held on May 3.
This arrest followed the interrogation of the alleged mastermind, P V Kulkarni, along with other suspects in the paper leak incident, according to officials.
The lecturer, identified as Manisha Mandhare, was taken into custody after being questioned at the CBI headquarters.
Mandhare was reportedly engaged in the NEET examination process and had been appointed as an expert by the NTA.
Officials indicated that she had unrestricted access to the Botany and Zoology question papers.
It is alleged that Mandhare coordinated with prospective NEET candidates in April 2026 through Manisha Wagmare from Pune, who was arrested on May 14, and provided special coaching sessions at her residence.
During these sessions, she is accused of dictating leaked questions and answers to selected students, charging them substantial fees.
Many of the questions she provided matched those that appeared in the exam on May 3, leading to the cancellation of the NEET exam due to the leak allegations.
Previously, the CBI had detained Professor P V Kulkarni, a chemistry expert from Latur, who had long been involved in the NEET question paper setting process.
Utilizing his access to confidential materials, Kulkarni allegedly conducted special coaching classes at his home in the last week of April, where he dictated questions and answers that were included in the NEET UG paper.
According to a spokesperson, Kulkarni mobilized students with the assistance of another accused, Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested on May 14.
Students reportedly paid large sums to attend these sessions, where they recorded the questions that later matched the actual NEET-UG paper.
The federal agency has filed a First Information Report (FIR) and established teams to investigate the alleged paper leak that led to the cancellation of the May 3 exam.
The NEET was conducted in 551 cities across India and at 14 international centers, with nearly 23 lakh candidates registered for the test, administered by the NTA.
The NTA received reports of alleged malpractice on the evening of May 7, just four days after the exam took place.
Following this, the NTA escalated the information to central agencies the next morning for verification and necessary actions.