The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a second alleged mastermind in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case. The accused, Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, is a senior Botany teacher from Pune and was reportedly part of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) paper-setting committee. The arrest came a day after retired chemistry lecturer P V Kulkarni was taken into custody in connection with the same NEET UG 2026 paper leak.
According to the CBI, Mandhare had direct access to Botany and Zoology question papers as she was appointed as an expert by the NTA. Investigators claimed she used this access to allegedly leak questions to selected students before the examination conducted on May 3.
How The Alleged Leak Was Planned
The agency stated that Mandhare worked with co-accused Manisha Waghmare, a Pune-based beauty parlour owner arrested earlier this week. Officials alleged that Waghmare helped gather NEET aspirants and collected money from them during the NEET UG 2026 paper leak operation.
The CBI claimed Mandhare conducted private coaching sessions at her residence in Pune during April 2026. During these classes, she allegedly disclosed important Botany and Zoology questions and instructed students to write them down in notebooks and mark them in textbooks.
Investigators said several of these questions matched the actual NEET UG 2026 examination paper, strengthening suspicions around the NEET UG 2026 paper leak network.
Entire NTA Committee Under Scanner
CBI officials revealed that two separate versions of leaked question papers — one handwritten and another typed — were circulated from within the NTA system. The agency suspects both Kulkarni and Mandhare played key roles in leaking the material.
Officials also confirmed that more members connected to the paper-setting process are under investigation. More arrests may follow in the coming days as the probe into the NEET UG 2026 paper leak expands.
An officer associated with the investigation stated that this is the first time authorities have reportedly traced the source of a major paper leak directly to insiders linked with the NTA.
The agency is now trying to identify students and middlemen who may have benefited from the leaked papers. Investigators are also examining whether the accused had links to previous examination leaks.
FAQs
Q: Who is Manisha Mandhare in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case?
A: Manisha Mandhare is a Pune-based Botany teacher and NTA expert arrested by the CBI for allegedly leaking exam questions.
Q: How did the NEET UG 2026 paper leak happen?
A: The CBI alleges that insiders linked to the NTA paper-setting committee leaked questions through private coaching sessions and handwritten notes.
Q: Who was arrested before Manisha Mandhare?
A: Retired chemistry lecturer P V Kulkarni was arrested earlier and is believed to be a key accused in the case.
Q: Is the NTA under investigation in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case?
A: Yes, CBI officials said several members connected to the paper-setting process are currently under scrutiny.
