Hyderabad: The alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak has triggered a nationwide controversy and raised fresh concerns over the credibility of India’s largest medical entrance examination.
The National Testing Agency cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 after reports of a large scale paper leak surfaced from multiple states.
More than 22 lakh medical aspirants appeared for the examination in India and abroad. The sudden cancellation has now left students and parents anxious about admissions and academic schedules.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation. Officials described the case as a highly organised interstate racket involving middlemen, coaching centres, counsellors and digital networks.
Investigators said the leaked paper allegedly circulated through Telegram channels and WhatsApp groups before the examination.
CBI Expands Investigation Across States
The CBI formed multiple investigation teams to trace the source of the leak and identify the wider network involved in the scam.
Officials seized mobile phones, laptops and digital evidence from suspects across several states.
According to investigators, the leaked paper allegedly moved through a chain involving medical students, hostel operators, coaching centres and intermediaries.
The probe has already expanded to states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, Kerala and Uttarakhand.
Investigators suspect the original paper leaked from a printing facility before reaching coaching hubs and private networks.
Arrests And Money Trail Surface
The CBI arrested several accused in connection with the case.
Among those arrested are Dhananjay Lokhande from Maharashtra, Shubham Khairnar from Nashik, Yash Yadav from Gurugram and Jaipur residents Dinesh Biwal, Mangilal Biwal and Vikas Biwal.
Investigators alleged that the accused sold and circulated the paper through different intermediaries for huge amounts of money.
Officials claimed the leaked paper first changed hands for Rs 10 lakh before the amount increased to nearly Rs 30 lakh at later stages.
Police said a so called “guess paper” containing actual NEET questions was circulated among selected students before the examination.
Investigators also identified Telegram groups and paid WhatsApp groups allegedly used for distributing the leaked material.
Political Row Intensifies Over NEET
The controversy has now turned into a major political issue.
Opposition parties including Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and All India Trinamool Congress criticised the BJP led Central government over the examination leak.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal demanded accountability from the Centre, while Congress leaders sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Meanwhile, C Joseph Vijay renewed demands to abolish NEET, stating that repeated controversies exposed structural flaws in the examination system.
He argued that the present system disadvantages rural students, government school students and economically weaker aspirants.
Supreme Court Petition Seeks Reforms
The Federation of All India Medical Association approached the Supreme Court of India seeking a court monitored re examination and major reforms in the conduct of NEET.
The petition proposed replacing the NTA with an autonomous technology driven examination body.
It also recommended digital locking systems for question papers and conducting NEET through computer based testing methods to prevent future leaks.
Students across the country continue to protest against the cancellation and uncertainty surrounding the examination process.
The NTA has announced that a fresh examination schedule will be released soon. However, officials clarified that candidates will not need to submit fresh applications for the re examination.
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