:Pune, May 16, 2026

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has identified another mastermind involved in the alleged leak of Biology questions in the NEET-UG 2026 Examination.

A key accused, Ms. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a Senior Botany Teacher from Pune, Maharashtra, has been arrested in Delhi following sustained interrogation by the CBI. The accused was associated with the NEET UG 2026 examination process and had been appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an expert. She allegedly had complete access to the Botany and Zoology question papers.

Investigation has revealed that during April 2026, the accused mobilised prospective NEET candidates through another accused, Manisha Wagmare of Pune, who was arrested earlier on 14 May 2026. It was further found that special coaching classes were conducted at the residence of Ms. Mandhare in Pune, where several questions from Botany and Zoology were allegedly disclosed, discussed and dictated to students. Candidates were reportedly instructed to note down the questions in notebooks and mark them in textbooks. A majority of these questions were found to match the actual NEET UG 2026 question paper conducted on 03 May 2026.

During the last 24 hours, CBI conducted searches at six locations across the country and seized several incriminating documents, laptops, bank statements and mobile phones. Detailed analysis of the seized materials is underway.

The case was registered by CBI on 12 May 2026 on the basis of a written complaint received from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, regarding the alleged paper leak of the NEET-UG 2026 Examination.

So far, nine accused have been arrested from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar. Out of these, five accused have already been produced before the competent court and remanded to seven days of police custody for detailed interrogation. Two accused arrested yesterday were produced before a court in Pune and subsequently shifted to Delhi after obtaining transit remand. They are being produced before the Delhi court.

Investigation conducted so far has revealed the alleged source of leakage of Chemistry and Biology papers, as well as the role of middlemen involved in mobilising students who allegedly paid substantial amounts to attend the special coaching sessions where examination questions were discussed. CBI stated that investigation in the matter is continuing through special teams and reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive, impartial and professional probe into the case.

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PIB Mumbai | Robin Singh/Parshuram Kor

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