The NEET UG 2026 paper leak case continues to make headlines as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) intensifies its probe. Here’s a clear summary of the latest developments regarding the NEET 2026 paper leakers.
Latest Update (October 2026)
On 14 October 2026, the CBI filed its first supplementary chargesheet in a Delhi court. The agency named one additional accused, bringing the total number of people chargesheeted to 14.
The newly named accused is Sheshrav Bajrang Suryawanshi (also known as Raj Suryawanshi), a resident of Nanded, Maharashtra. He was arrested on 2 September 2026. According to the CBI, he worked closely with co-accused Shubham Khairnar and was involved in distributing the leaked question paper to candidates in exchange for money.
Importantly, the CBI has not named any government official or senior NTA official as an accused so far.
Key Points from the Investigation
- The original NEET UG 2026 exam was held on 3 May 2026.
- After evidence of a paper leak emerged, the exam was cancelled and a re-test was conducted.
- The CBI took over the investigation on 12 May 2026.
- The first chargesheet (filed on 28 July 2026) named 13 accused, including three NTA-appointed subject experts:
- Prahlad Vithalrao Kulkarni (Chemistry)
- Manisha Gurunath Mandhare (Biology)
- Manisha Sanjay Havaldar (Physics)
- Other accused include middlemen, coaching institute operators, and individuals from Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
- Investigators recovered deleted WhatsApp chats, PDF files of leaked questions, and digital evidence from mobile phones.
- Raids were conducted at multiple locations across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and other states.
How the Leak Allegedly Happened
According to the CBI, certain subject experts associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) allegedly memorised or copied questions during the paper-setting and translation process. These questions were then passed on through a network of middlemen and coaching centres, who sold them to candidates for large sums of money.
Current Status
- Total accused chargesheeted: 14
- No government or NTA administrative officials have been named as accused so far.
- The investigation is still ongoing, though the filing of the supplementary chargesheet indicates significant progress.
- The next court hearing is scheduled in the coming days.
Conclusion
The NEET 2026 paper leak case has once again highlighted serious concerns about the security of national-level entrance examinations. While the CBI has made substantial progress in identifying and charging the alleged leakers and distributors, the full extent of the network is still under investigation.
Students and parents are advised to rely only on official sources for updates and avoid circulating unverified information. The re-examination process was conducted to ensure fairness for genuine candidates, and the ongoing probe aims to bring all those involved to justice.