NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: Pune Botany Teacher Arrested By CBI For Allegedly Sharing Biology Questions

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Botany teacher from Pune in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 Biology paper leak case. With the latest arrest, the total number of accused held so far in the case has increased to nine.

The accused, identified as Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, was arrested from Delhi after being questioned by the agency. According to the CBI, she was associated with the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) process after being appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an expert.

CBI Says Teacher Shared Important Questions With Students

The probe agency alleged that Mandhare came in contact with NEET aspirants in April through another accused, Manisha Waghmare, who had already been arrested in the case earlier from Pune.

Investigators claimed that Mandhare conducted coaching sessions for selected students at her residence and allegedly shared important questions related to Botany and Zoology. The students were reportedly asked to write down the questions in notebooks and mark them in their textbooks.

According to the CBI, most of these questions later matched the actual Biology paper conducted for NEET-UG on May 3.

Searches Conducted Across Multiple Cities

The CBI said it carried out searches at six locations across the country during the last 24 hours. During these raids, officials allegedly recovered incriminating documents, laptops, bank statements and mobile phones.

The agency added that a detailed forensic and technical analysis of the seized materials is currently underway.

Officials also confirmed that the nine accused arrested so far belong to Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nasik, Pune and Ahliyanagar. Five of the accused are currently in police custody for seven days, while two accused arrested in Pune are being brought to Delhi for further questioning.

Probe Reveals Network Of Middlemen And Coaching Sessions

The CBI stated that its investigation has identified the "actual source" behind the Chemistry and Biology paper leak and also uncovered the role of middlemen who allegedly connected students with the accused in exchange for lakhs of rupees.

According to investigators, students attended special coaching sessions where questions expected in the NEET-UG examination were allegedly dictated and discussed beforehand.

The agency had earlier arrested the alleged kingpin of the operation, identified as PV Kulkarni, a Chemistry lecturer linked to the examination process on behalf of the NTA. Investigators claimed Kulkarni had access to the NEET-UG 2026 question papers.

The CBI said, "During these coaching sessions, he dictated questions along with options and correct answers. The questions handwritten by students in their notebooks exactly matched the actual Chemistry paper of the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, 2026."

Case Registered Following Complaint By Education Ministry

The NEET-UG paper leak case was formally registered by the CBI on May 12 after the Department of Higher Education under the Union Education Ministry filed a complaint seeking an investigation into the alleged leak.

The investigation is currently ongoing, and officials are continuing to examine the larger network involved in the case.