The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is intensifying its probe into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, with three individuals named Manisha now reportedly under scrutiny. The investigation, which has already led to several arrests, is focusing on individuals allegedly involved in the circulation and distribution of leaked examination content, particularly focusing on those with access to question papers.
Pune Educators and Beautician Key in Alleged Leak Network
Central to the ongoing investigation are Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a botany teacher from Pune, and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, a principal of a local school. The CBI alleges that Mandhare, who was part of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) expert panel, had access to question papers for Botany and Zoology and provided special coaching. Havaldar, principal of Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala, is accused of colluding with Mandhare to share NEET-related questions and content with students in exchange for monetary benefits. According to CBI submissions in court, Havaldar allegedly received sums of money from students and also shared Physics questions from the NEET-UG 2026 exam, which she had translated or reverse-translated as part of her NTA assignment.
A third individual, Manisha Waghmare, identified as a Pune-based beautician, is believed to have acted as an intermediary. She allegedly connected parents and students with the main accused and distributed leaked questions disguised as mock papers. The CBI is examining financial transactions, digital evidence, and communication records linked to these individuals and their associates to map out the entire network involved in the alleged racket.
Scrutiny of Assets and Potential Involvement of More Academics
The CBI is not only investigating the individuals but also scrutinizing their assets, suspecting that properties may have been acquired using funds generated from the paper leak racket. The agency is exploring links between the current case and alleged NEET paper leak incidents from 2024, investigating the possibility that the same syndicate may have been operating for an extended period. This line of inquiry could bring more academics from Pune under the ambit of the investigation, with certain educators potentially being interrogated regarding their roles.
Supreme Court Seeks NTA Compliance on Examination Reforms
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has taken note of the recurring controversies surrounding the NEET-UG examination. On a recent Monday, the apex court issued notices to the Centre, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and other relevant authorities. These notices were in response to petitions seeking structural reforms in the conduct of the NEET-UG examination, including a potential transition to a computer-based testing (CBT) mode. The court highlighted that despite previous recommendations and committees formed after the 2024 controversy, concerns regarding examination integrity have resurfaced. A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha directed the NTA to file an affidavit clarifying its compliance status regarding the recommendations of a monitoring committee constituted in November 2024.
The court’s observations pointed to a perceived lack of learning from past incidents, with one Justice remarking, “It’s sad that they have not learnt their lesson.” The Supreme Court has previously acknowledged that a significant number of students had directly benefited from paper leaks in the 2024 examination. However, the court had also ruled that there was no evidence of a systemic failure beyond isolated incidents, rejecting claims of a large-scale leak in 2024 and declining to order a re-examination at that time due to a lack of credible proof of widespread irregularities. The ongoing investigation into the 2026 paper leak and the Supreme Court’s continued focus on examination reforms underscore the persistent challenges in ensuring the integrity of high-stakes national entrance examinations.
The Chenab Times News Desk