Inside CBI chargesheet: CBI alleges no frisking, CCTV gaps eased NEET UG paper leak

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that lapses in National Testing Agency's (NTA) confidential examination process enabled three subject experts to leak National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) May 3 exam question paper. In a chargesheet, NTA named 13 accused, including three agency-appointed subject experts, alleging that the paper leak was part of a well-planned, multi-state criminal conspiracy.

According to the chargesheet, accessed by ThePrint, the agency found that several subject experts were involved in question paper preparation, which provided them access to complete sets of confidential questions. The bureau said this defeated intended checks in exam process, where ideally different experts should independently handle writing, moderation, vetting, translation and back-translation to minimise the risk of leaks.

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The agency also pointed to several security shortcomings at its confidential section. It alleged there was no frisking of experts entering or leaving the confidential area, no dedicated CCTV live-feed monitoring control room, and surveillance footage was retained for only 20 to 25 days. As the confidential work for NEET UG 2026 concluded on April 7 and the case was registered on May 12, footage from the relevant period was unavailable for investigators, according to the chargesheet.

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How experts leaked confidential material

The CBI has detailed how each of the three experts allegedly leaked confidential material. It alleged that-

Chemistry expert P.V. Kulkarni wrote questions and answer options on concealed paper slips using rough sheets provided inside the confidential section.

Biology expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare allegedly reconstructed questions by marking relevant portions in NCERT textbooks after returning to her hotel.

Physics expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar is accused of memorising questions and writing them down after leaving the NTA office.

The agency alleged that one candidate and his father were offered access to the question paper for Rs 4 lakh, and that one subject expert conducted offline revision classes after obtaining confidential material.

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The chargesheet further alleges that the leak was facilitated through a network of coaching operators, brokers and intermediaries. According to News18, investigators traced a digital trail involving WhatsApp, Telegram, PDF files and photographs. Forensic examination of seized mobile phones recovered leaked question papers, chats and other documents. Investigators also found a WhatsApp group titled "NEET 2026", which they believe was used during the conspiracy.

CBI has claimed conspiracy was planned months before the May 3 examination and that digital evidence, call detail records and forensic reports corroborate witness statements.

Chargesheet details

According to IANS, the investigation involved 72 officers and eight cyber forensic experts, with searches conducted at 92 locations across several states. The chargesheet cites 360 witnesses, 422 documents and 43 material objects. All 13 accused are currently in judicial custody and have been charged under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The CBI found the NTA Director General responded five days after receiving an email from a Sikar-based teacher on the day of the examination, alerting the agency about a "guess paper" whose questions allegedly matched the actual examination. Responding to ThePrint, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said he could not comment on the CBI's findings as the matter is sub judice and referred to the affidavit filed by the agency before the Supreme Court.

Recently CBI found no evidence against Sanjeev Mukhiya in NEET UG 2024 paper theft case. "In the course of its investigation, the CBI did not come across any evidence to establish the involvement of Sanjeev Kumar alias Sanjeev Mukhiya in the theft or distribution of the stolen NEET-UG question paper in 2024," a CBI spokesperson told PTI.

NEET UG 2026 examination first held on May 3, was subsequently cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. A re-examination was conducted on June 21 under enhanced security arrangements.

Meanwhile, MCC has commenced NEET UG 2026 counselling and choice filling will begin on August 8. Check LIVE updates here.