Hyderabad, May 13: The investigation into the alleged NEET UG 2026 question paper leak has now extended to Kerala, with the Central Bureau of Investigation probing the possible involvement of students from two districts in the state.
Investigators suspect that a “model question paper” prepared using the leaked original NEET paper reached several students in Kerala before the examination.
The Kerala link emerged after Rajasthan Police shared details of nearly 200 students believed to have accessed the leaked paper.
Officials are also investigating the role of a medical student from Churu in Rajasthan who is currently studying in Kerala.
Investigators suspect he acted as a key link in distributing the paper among NEET aspirants in the state.
The CBI has widened the investigation to 10 states and formed a Special Investigation Team to track the interstate network behind the alleged exam fraud.
Four separate investigation squads are currently working on different aspects of the case.
According to preliminary findings, investigators believe the leak originated directly from the printing press in Nashik, Maharashtra, where this year’s NEET paper was printed.
Officials suspect that a medical student identified as Shubham Karniyar allegedly secured the original paper from the press and passed it through intermediaries in Haryana.
From there, the paper reportedly reached the main operators based in Sikar, Rajasthan.
To avoid suspicion, the original paper was allegedly converted into a “model question paper” before circulation.
Investigators said the network spread the papers across Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.
The probe found that 90 Biology questions and 35 out of 45 Chemistry questions in the model paper matched the actual NEET examination paper.
Officials said the papers were allegedly sold through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
The price reportedly ranged between Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakh.
Investigators described the operation as a highly organised interstate examination racket involving multiple layers of middlemen and digital distribution channels.
The CBI is continuing searches and questioning suspects connected to the case.
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