NEET-UG is India’s largest medical entrance examination, taken by lakhs of students every year for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical courses. The 2026 examination became one of the biggest controversies in the history of the exam after investigators uncovered an alleged paper leak, leading to the cancellation of the original exam and a nationwide re-examination.
This article explains the sequence of events in chronological order based on publicly available information from the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Government of India, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Where allegations are mentioned, they are identified as such because the investigation is ongoing and the accused have not been convicted by any court.
May 3, 2026: NEET-UG Conducted Across India
On May 3, 2026, the National Testing Agency conducted the NEET-UG examination across thousands of centres in India. More than 22 lakh students appeared for the exam, hoping to secure admission to medical colleges.
At the time, the examination concluded without any official announcement of irregularities.
May 7–8, 2026: Reports of Irregularities Reach the NTA
A few days after the exam, the NTA reportedly received credible information suggesting that confidential question papers may have been leaked before the examination. The agency began verifying the information and referred the matter to state police forces and Special Operations Groups (SOGs) for investigation.
As investigators started collecting digital evidence and questioning suspects, the scope of the alleged leak appeared to extend across multiple states.
May 12, 2026: NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled
After reviewing the available evidence, the Government of India cancelled the May 3 NEET examination. The case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which began a nationwide investigation into the alleged paper leak.
The cancellation meant that all candidates, regardless of whether they were connected to the alleged leak, would have to appear for the examination again.
May 15, 2026: Re-NEET Announced
The NTA announced that the examination would be conducted again on June 21, 2026.
The Union Education Minister also expressed regret and acknowledged the hardship faced by students and parents for the disruption caused by the cancellation. At the same time, the government announced plans to gradually transition major entrance examinations towards Computer-Based Testing (CBT) to strengthen exam security.
June 21, 2026: Re-NEET Conducted
The re-examination was conducted across India under enhanced security arrangements, including stricter verification procedures, tighter transportation of question papers, and increased monitoring at examination centres.
July 16, 2026: Final Results Declared
The NTA declared the results of the re-examination on July 16, 2026. These results became the official basis for admissions to undergraduate medical courses across the country.
How Did the Alleged Paper Leak Happen?
According to the CBI’s investigation, the alleged leak involved multiple individuals performing different roles within a larger network.
Investigators allege that confidential question papers were accessed before the examination by individuals associated with the paper-setting process. These questions were then allegedly shared with trusted contacts, who further distributed them through coaching institutes and intermediaries.
The CBI also alleges that selected candidates attended private coaching sessions where they were taught or asked to memorise the leaked questions before the examination. Brokers allegedly coordinated candidates, arranged meetings, and facilitated payments between those seeking access to the paper and members of the network.
The investigation is continuing, and these allegations have not yet been tested in court.
Key People Named by Investigators
| Accused | Alleged role |
|---|---|
| P. V. Kulkarni | Alleged mastermind. A retired chemistry professor and NTA-appointed subject expert who allegedly leaked the Chemistry paper, conducted secret coaching sessions, and dictated questions and answers to selected candidates before the exam. |
| Manisha Gurunath Mandhare | A senior Botany lecturer and NTA-appointed Biology subject expert. Allegedly leaked the Botany and Zoology sections of the paper, conspired with Kulkarni, and shared confidential questions for financial gain. |
| Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar | Owner of Renukai Chemistry Classes in Latur. Allegedly received the leaked Chemistry paper from Kulkarni, used his coaching institute to distribute it, and conducted classes based on the leaked questions. |
| Manisha Waghmare | Allegedly acted as a broker and intermediary. She is accused of connecting the paper sources with candidates, arranging admissions through her consultancy network, collecting money, and coordinating access to leaked questions. |
| Shubham Khairnar | Allegedly worked as a coordinator and broker. He is accused of identifying candidates willing to pay, connecting them with the leak network, and facilitating communication between the suppliers and beneficiaries. |
| Mangilal Biwal | Allegedly part of the Rajasthan distribution network. He is accused of helping recruit candidates, coordinating logistics, and facilitating the circulation of the leaked paper in Rajasthan. |
| Vikas Biwal | Allegedly worked alongside Mangilal Biwal in the Rajasthan network. He is accused of arranging candidates, coordinating meetings, and helping distribute the leaked questions before the examination. |
The table above includes the principal accused publicly identified during the investigation. Apart from these individuals, the CBI has also identified and arrested several others, including Dhananjay Lokhande, Dinesh Biwal, Yash Yadav, Dr. Manoj Shirure, Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, and Omkar Shingote. The CBI has also named Manisha Havaldar in its allegations. As of the latest official updates, 13 people have been arrested in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The investigation is ongoing, and all accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law
Why Was the Entire Exam Cancelled?
Instead of cancelling the results of only a few candidates, the government decided to cancel the examination for everyone because investigators believed the integrity of the exam had been compromised.
The decision was taken to ensure that all candidates competed under the same conditions in a fresh examination.
Impact on Students
The cancellation of the original examination delayed the admission process by more than a month and required every candidate to prepare for NEET-UG again.
During the 37-day period between the cancellation of the exam and the re-examination, at least 12 NEET aspirants reportedly died by suicide across different parts of India. In several cases, family members or suicide notes referred to the stress of the cancelled examination and the prospect of appearing for the test again. However, authorities and mental health experts have cautioned that suicide is a complex issue and cannot be attributed to a single factor, with each case requiring individual investigation and understanding.
Current Status
The CBI has arrested multiple individuals and continues to investigate the alleged paper leak. Charge sheets have been filed against several accused, and court proceedings are underway.
As of now, no accused has been convicted. Under Indian law, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak remains one of the most significant examination investigations in India’s history. While investigators have outlined an alleged network involving subject experts, coaching operators, intermediaries, and candidates, the final determination of responsibility will depend on the outcome of the judicial process.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Protests
The cancellation of the original NEET-UG 2026 examination triggered protests in several parts of India. Students, parents, and medical aspirants expressed frustration over having to prepare for the examination again after months or years of preparation.
Following the re-examination, some student groups and organizations continued to demand greater transparency in the investigation, accountability for those responsible, and reforms to strengthen the security of national-level entrance examinations. Some have also sought compensation or other relief for students affected by the cancellation and delay.
As legal proceedings and the CBI investigation continue, the issue remains a topic of public discussion.
Sources
CBI registers the NEET-UG 2026 case (12 May 2026) – Press Information Bureau (PIB) – CBI Registers Case in alleged Paper Leak in NEET-UG 2026
CBI identifies P. V. Kulkarni as the alleged Chemistry paper source (15 May 2026) – PIB – CBI arrests kingpin in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case
CBI arrests more accused (14 May 2026) – PIB – CBI arrests two more accused in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case
CBI identifies Manisha Gurunath Mandhare as the alleged Biology paper source (16 May 2026) – PIB – CBI arrests the mastermind connected with Biology questions leak
Press Information Bureau (PIB) – Education Minister’s Letter Before Re-NEET – https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2265073&lang=1®=20&utm_source=chatgpt.com
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan On NEET Paper Leak – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I0ol3Vl5Rg
The Indian Express – Ahead of Re-NEET, 12 Suicides in 37 Days – https://indianexpress.com/article/education/ahead-of-neet-re-test-12-suicides-in-37-days-10748475/
Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India – https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2265721&lang=2®=3
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Written by WritingMonk