The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unveiled a complex plot regarding the NEET-UG 2026 examination leak, alleging that the scheme extended over several months and implicated multiple parties, including National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts and a network of coaching operators.
The CBI’s detailed chargesheet indicates that confidential examination questions reached determined aspirants willing to pay for advance access. They used a sophisticated network of brokers to navigate the leak, which investigators traced through extensive phone records, digital communications, and forensic evidence.
According to the agency, the breach did not occur in isolation, with materials circulating among multiple intermediaries before reaching candidates. The CBI has identified three NTA-appointed experts as primary suspects who allegedly exploited their privileged access to confidential examination material.
Among those named in the chargesheet are Shivraj Motegaonkar from Renukai Career Centre, Tejas Harshadkumar Shah from Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy, and Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure of Siddhivinayak Hospital. These individuals allegedly played key roles outside the NTA in facilitating the sale and distribution of leaked materials.
The investigation has heavily relied on evidence obtained from mobile devices. Forensic analysis of the phone belonging to accused Yash Yadav revealed PDF files containing the vital NEET-UG 2026 questions and conversations on the messaging platform Telegram, linked to code-named contacts such as ‘AP Broker’, later identified as Shubham Madhukar Khairnar.
This digital evidence points to a series of exchanges that occurred prior to the examination, indicating a well-orchestrated network designed to circumvent the integrity of the examination process.
On another seized device belonging to accused Manisha Sanjay Waghmare, investigators discovered a WhatsApp group named “NEET 2026”. This group further substantiates the CBI claim that clear communication channels existed among the accused, enabling them to coordinate the transfer of sensitive material.
The agency lists Yash Yadav, Manisha Waghmare, Dhananjay Lokhande, and Shubham Madhukar Khairnar as pivotal links in the distribution of the leaked NEET-UG 2026 questions. They functioned in a layered structure that effectively moved the examination questions from those with confidential access to aspiring candidates requiring the information.
The CBI has compiled evidence from multiple electronic devices, yielding an extensive array of chats, photographs, and digital documents that collectively illustrate the alleged operations of this illicit network.
As the investigation unfolds, the CBI continues to piece together the timeline and detailed structure of this elaborate scheme. The agency aims to hold all involved parties accountable, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the national examination system.
