CBI registers case to probe alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, forms special teams
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case to probe the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, following a reference from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, said the agency on Tuesday (May 12, 2026).NEET-UG 2026 paper leak: Follow LIVE updates on May 12, 2026Based on its initial findings, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the examination that was held on May 3.The CBI has constituted special teams, which have been dispatched to various locations to follow up on leads. It has invoked provisions related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft, and destruction of evidence under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Act.The Rajasthan Special Operations Group was previously investigating the case. Preliminary inquiry indicated that a handwritten “guess” paper was circulated in Rajasthan’s Sikar a couple of days before the examination and most of its questions allegedly matched the actual paper.According to the CBI, the NTA received a complaint and inputs regarding the reported unauthorised circulation of some documents pertaining to the examination before it was conducted.“The allegations indicate a possible compromise of the sanctity and integrity of the examination process. The CBI has taken up the matter for a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the nature and extent of the alleged irregularities, as well as the involvement of individuals and entities connected therewith,” said the agency.The CBI is already investigating the NEET UG 2024 Patna question paper theft case and has so far chargesheeted at least 45 accused persons, including masterminds, middlemen, paper-solver gang members, and examination-centre linked facilitators. It took over the case from the Patna police on June 23, 2024.“Names of the candidates, who are beneficiaries of the paper theft/unfair means and names of the MBBS student who had solved the stolen paper or who had appeared in exam as impersonators have already been identified and shared with NTA/Ministry of Education,” the CBI had earlier said. Published - May 12, 2026 11:49 pm IST
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