CBI chargesheet described the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak as a multi-state criminal conspiracy involving alleged NTA subject experts and intermediaries

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has described the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak as a well-organised, multi-state criminal conspiracy before a Delhi Court alleging that confidential examination material was accessed by insiders and subsequently circulated through a network of intermediaries for monetary gain.

According to the chargesheet filed in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, three subject experts associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) allegedly played a direct role in accessing and leaking confidential examination material. The leaked questions were then allegedly passed on to middlemen and other members of the network, who circulated them among selected candidates in return for substantial sums of money.

The investigation has brought renewed scrutiny on the security architecture surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), one of India's largest competitive examinations, which is taken by millions of students seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses.

Alleged multi-state network

The CBI has alleged that the paper leak was not an isolated incident but involved coordinated activities across several States. The chargesheet reportedly names 13 arrested accused, including the three NTA subject experts, intermediaries involved in distributing the leaked material and persons allegedly linked to coaching-related networks.

The agency has alleged that the accused operated through a carefully coordinated chain in which examination material was accessed before the test, transferred to trusted intermediaries and ultimately provided to candidates who had allegedly paid large sums of money.

Investigators have also alleged that the conspirators attempted to maintain secrecy and destroy evidence, while using multiple communication channels to coordinate their activities across State borders.

The accused have been booked under provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, destruction of evidence and other offences, according to the investigation.

Questions over NTA's examination securtiy

The alleged involvement of NTA-associated subject experts has intensified questions over how confidential examination material could have been accessed despite the security measures put in place for the conduct of NEET-UG.

The allegations have also renewed concerns among students and parents over the integrity of national-level competitive examinations, particularly given the scale of NEET and the intense competition for medical seats.

The CBI's findings are likely to add to the scrutiny of the NTA's internal safeguards, including the processes governing the preparation, handling, printing, transportation and custody of question papers.

Investigation continues

The CBI investigation remains ongoing, with further forensic examination and investigation into the alleged network expected to determine the role of other individuals, if any.

Some of the accused have also sought permission for scientific investigative techniques, including polygraph and brain-mapping tests, with courts examining such requests in accordance with law.

The allegations contained in the chargesheet remain subject to adjudication, and the accused are presumed innocent unless found guilty by a competent court.

The case has nevertheless highlighted the vulnerability of high-stakes examinations to organised fraud and raised questions about whether existing safeguards are sufficient to protect the integrity of national entrance examinations.

With the CBI alleging the involvement of insiders, middlemen and candidates across multiple States, the case could have wider implications for the manner in which examination-related offences are investigated and for the reforms required to secure India's competitive examination system.

Background

In a related news, the Delhi High Court recently transferred Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga, who was appointed only last month to preside over the designated fast-track court for paper leak cases, as part of a major reshuffle involving 138 judicial officers. Judge Baliga, who assumed charge of the special paper leak court at Rouse Avenue Courts on July 25, spent just over a week hearing matters before being transferred to a Special Court constituted under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act to deal with terrorism-related cases.
The transfer comes days after the Delhi High Court, on July 23, designated a special fast-track court to exclusively hear criminal cases relating to paper leaks and other unfair practices in public examinations.

Special Judge Ajay Gupta, who had earlier been hearing paper leak cases, including the high-profile NEET-UG paper leak matter, has now been posted back to the designated paper leak court and will continue hearing the cases.

The special court had held its first hearing in the NEET paper leak case on July 27. However, the proceedings were adjourned at the request of the defence, and the matter is now listed before Judge Gupta for consideration of the CBI's chargesheet as well as the bail applications of two accused.

The designated paper leak court was established following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that fast-track courts would be set up to ensure the expeditious disposal of cases involving examination paper leaks. Addressing the issue, PM Modi said protecting the future of students was a top priority and asserted that those responsible for compromising the integrity of examinations would face swift justice through dedicated courts.

"Nothing is more important than the future of our youth," the Prime Minister said in an X post, adding that his government was committed to ensuring strict punishment for those involved in paper leak rackets. He also reiterated the government's resolve to make the examination system secure and transparent.

On July 20, thousands of students and youth activists participating in the 'Chalo Sansad' march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament clashed with Delhi Police after they were stopped from proceeding further. Police had to use tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse the protesters, triggering allegations of excessive use of force and prompting calls for an independent judicial inquiry.

The police action has since drawn criticism from several quarters. Supreme Court Bar Association President and Senior Advocate Vikas Singh has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a judicial inquiry into the alleged police excesses, contending that the crackdown on peaceful demonstrators violated their constitutional rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21.

Pursuant to the decision, the Delhi High Court designated a special court at Rouse Avenue to hear cases under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and directed that all such cases be transferred to it.

[Inputs: TOI] 

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