CBI has identified another mastermind who was the source for leak of NEET-UG 2026 Examination Biology questions.

Another key accused namely Ms. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a Senior Botany Teacher from Pune, Maharashtra has been arrested at Delhi after thorough interrogation by CBI. She was involved in the NEET UG 2026 Examination process and appointed by NTA as an expert. She had complete access to the Botony and Zoology question papers. During April 2026 she had mobilized prospective NEET examination candidates through Manisha Wagmare of Pune (already arrested on 14-05-26) and conducted special coaching classes for these students at her Pune residence. During these classes she explained and disclosed various questions from Botany and Zoology subjects and made the students note down the same in their notebooks and also mark in their text books. Majority of these questions tallied with the actual question paper of NEET UG 2026Examination held on 03-05-2026

In the last 24 hours, CBI has also conducted searches at 6 locations across the country and seized several incriminating documents, Laptops, bank statements and mobile phones. Detailed analysis of the seized items is going on.

It may be recalled that CBI has registered this case on 12.05.2026 based on the written complaint given by Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India pertaining to alleged paper leak of NEET-UG 2026 Examination. Immediately after registration of the case, special teams were formed and searches were conducted at various locations across the country and several suspects were picked up and interrogated.

So far 09 accused have been arrested in this case from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nasik, Pune and Ahliyanagar. Out of these, 05 accused have already been produced before the court and taken into 7 days police custody remand for detailed interrogation. Other 02 accused who were arrested yesterday have produced before the court in Pune and shifted to Delhi after taking Transit Remand. They are being produced before the Delhi court.

Investigation is continuing with the special teams and the investigation conducted so far has brought out the actual source of the leakage of Chemistry and Biology papers as well as the middlemen involved in mobilizing the students who paid lakhs of rupees to attend the special coaching classes where the questions which would come in the NEET UG-2026 exam were dictated and discussed.

CBI is committed to comprehensive, impartial and professional investigation in this case.

(Release ID: 2261767) Visitor Counter : 20