NEET 2026 Paper Leak: Botany Teacher Manisha Mandhare Arrested by CBI

NEET 2026 paper leak: A senior Botany teacher, Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, has been arrested by the CBI for her alleged role in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak. Appointed as an NTA subject expert, she is accused of leaking Biology questions after conducting special coaching sessions at her Pune residence.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Pune-based senior Botany teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare in connection with the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak scandal. Officials claim she played a key role in leaking Biology questions ahead of the national medical entrance examination.

Mandhare, who was appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as a subject expert for the examination process, is the second teacher from Pune to be arrested in the case after Chemistry professor P.V. Kulkarni.

According to investigators, she had full access to the Biology question paper and is suspected to have shared confidential exam content with selected candidates before the examination.

Who Is Manisha Gurunath Mandhare?

Manisha Gurunath Mandhare is a senior Botany teacher from Pune who was appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an expert involved in the NEET UG 2026 examination process. According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), she had authorised access to the Biology question paper and is accused of leaking confidential exam content to selected candidates before the medical entrance examination.

Investigators allege that she conducted special coaching sessions at her Pune residence, where Biology questions that later appeared in the actual NEET UG 2026 paper were reportedly discussed with students.

Live Events

How the Alleged NEET Biology Paper Leak Was Carried Out

The CBI stated that Mandhare allegedly worked with Pune-based consultant Manisha Wagmare, who was arrested earlier this week, to identify and recruit prospective NEET candidates.

Investigators claim that in April 2026, Mandhare conducted special coaching sessions at her residence in Pune. During these classes, she reportedly dictated Biology questions expected to appear in the NEET UG 2026 examination.

Students attending the sessions were allegedly instructed to write down the questions in notebooks and highlight corresponding topics in their textbooks.

The agency further claimed that a significant number of the questions discussed during these classes matched the actual NEET UG 2026 Biology paper conducted on 3 May before the examination was later cancelled.

NTA Expert Under Investigation for Breach of Examination Confidentiality

The arrest has intensified scrutiny over the security mechanisms followed by the National Testing Agency during the preparation and handling of examination papers.

CBI officials said Mandhare had been entrusted with confidential responsibilities as an NTA-appointed expert, giving her authorised access to sensitive examination material.

The agency is now investigating whether additional insiders within the examination system were involved in the alleged leak network.

Multiple Raids Conducted Across India

Over the past 24 hours, the CBI conducted searches at six locations across the country as part of the widening investigation.

Officials said the raids led to the seizure of several incriminating documents, laptops, mobile phones and bank records. Digital forensic analysis of the seized material is currently underway.

The CBI registered the case on 12 May following a formal complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education regarding allegations of a paper leak in the NEET UG 2026 examination.

Nine Arrested So Far in NEET UG 2026 Scam

The investigation has so far resulted in the arrest of nine accused from multiple cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar.

Five of the arrested individuals have already been remanded to seven days of police custody for detailed interrogation.

Two additional accused arrested on Friday were produced before a Pune court before being shifted to Delhi on transit remand.

Middlemen Allegedly Charged Lakhs from Students

According to the CBI, middlemen involved in the racket allegedly collected lakhs of rupees from students and their families in exchange for access to leaked questions.

The probe agency stated that these intermediaries coordinated special coaching sessions where the leaked Chemistry and Biology questions were discussed before the examination.

Officials believe the investigation has now identified both the source of the leaked papers and the network responsible for distributing them to candidates.

NEET UG 2026 Examination Controversy Deepens

The NEET UG 2026 examination controversy has triggered nationwide concern over the integrity of India’s largest medical entrance test.

With arrests now involving individuals directly connected to the examination process, pressure is mounting on authorities to strengthen safeguards around confidential exam material and restore public trust in the system.

The CBI said further investigation is ongoing and additional arrests have not been ruled out.

Inputs from agencies

(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

Why Sanjeev Bikhchandani now depends more on Zomato than on jobs

Falling prices, Gulf risks: A spice king’s growth recipe falters

Why Jio BlackRock is taking a U-turn to reach investors

3 years on, India rebuilds aircraft lessors’ trust that Go First broke

98 million SIP accounts power Indian equities. What if they stop?

1

2

3