NEW DELHI — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its crackdown on the unprecedented NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal, arresting a second prominent educator in connection with the breach.
Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a high-level subject expert appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was taken into custody in the national capital following an intense round of questioning. Investigators allege that Mandhare used her privileged access to leak biology questions, which she then integrated into exclusive, high-priced “special coaching sessions” held at her private residence.
A Growing Network of Insider Collusion
Mandhare’s arrest marks another major breakthrough for federal investigators tracking a highly coordinated insider network. She is the second academic to be arrested, following the earlier apprehension of chemistry lecturer P.V. Kulkarni, whom officials have labeled the “kingpin” of the operation.
- Total Arrests: At least 9 individuals have been detained across multiple cities.
- The Modus Operandi: Investigators are probing how high-ranking insiders successfully bypassed the NTA’s secure digital and physical safeguards to extract the question bank ahead of schedule.
Unprecedented Chaos for Medical Aspirants
The fallout from the investigation has thrown the futures of millions of students into limbo.
A Historic First: Following confirmation of the leak, the May 3 examination—attempted by over 2.2 million aspiring doctors—was completely voided. This marks the first time in the history of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) that the entire national exam has been canceled.
A nationwide re-test has been officially scheduled for June 21, 2026.
Outrage and Legal Backlash
The scandal has triggered massive fury across the country. Fierce protests continue to escalate outside NTA headquarters, with students and parents demanding systemic accountability.
Meanwhile, the legal battle has reached the highest level. A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court demanding the complete dissolution of the NTA, arguing that the agency has failed catastrophically to maintain the integrity of India’s most competitive medical entrance exam. As the CBI digs deeper, more arrests are anticipated in the coming days.
This is a developing story. Storifynews.com will continue to provide updates as new details emerge from the ongoing investigation.
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