The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has confirmed that the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak was the result of a meticulous plot spanning several months. Alleged collusion involved experts designated by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and an intricate network of coaching operators, brokers, and candidates eager to pay for confidential examination material.
The CBI’s chargesheet outlines how the leaked examination questions circulated through various intermediaries. Investigators have traced these leaks by analyzing WhatsApp and Telegram conversations, alongside a treasure trove of PDFs, photographs, call records, and digital devices seized during raids.
Three appointed NTA experts face serious accusations of abusing their privileged access to confidential NEET-UG 2026 examination materials. The CBI asserts that the breach of confidentiality extended far beyond one individual passing information directly to a candidate, indicating a complex system designed to distribute sensitive information.
Confidential questions allegedly transitioned from NTA experts to private operators, then filtered through numerous brokers before ultimately reaching aspirants in search of a competitive advantage.
Among the identified culprits are Shivraj Motegaonkar of Renukai Career Centre, Tejas Harshadkumar Shah from Pune’s Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy, and Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, owner of Siddhivinayak Hospital. These figures played significant roles in orchestrating the leak outside official NTA operations.
A cornerstone of the CBI’s case revolves around the electronic data acquired from mobile phones of the accused. A forensic examination of one suspect, Yash Yadav, reportedly uncovered PDF files containing leaked NEET-UG 2026 questions. Connections via Telegram with the saved contact “AP Broker” led to co-accused Shubham Madhukar Khairnar.
These critical materials changed hands in the days leading to the examination, highlighting the extensive and well-coordinated nature of the scheme. Another device, seized from accused Manisha Sanjay Waghmare, held evidence of a WhatsApp group named “NEET 2026”. The CBI cites this as part of its growing dossier against the network.
Records from additional devices linked to other suspects reportedly revealed chats, photographs, and electronic files consistent with the CBI’s assertion of communication channels utilized by involved members.
Key suspects including Manisha Sanjay Waghmare, Dhananjay Lokhande, Shubham Madhukar Khairnar, and Yash Yadav reportedly acted as connections within this layered distribution network.
The agency emphasizes that this structured collusion enabled the flow of examination material from those with sanctioned access toward candidates paying for early insights.
The CBI has combined this digital evidence with testimonies from witnesses to reconstruct the flow of examination materials throughout this vast illicit network. With the stakes high for aspirants nationwide, the implications of this leak are profound, potentially affecting the integrity of the NEET-UG examination.
