CBI Arrests 13 Suspects in NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 13 individuals, including Dr. Manoj Shirure and faculty member Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, as part of an investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The probe, which began on May 12, 2026, following a Ministry of Education complaint, has involved searches at 49 locations and the seizure of incriminating documents, laptops, and mobile phones.

On May 29 and 30, CBI Director Praveen Sood and officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Ministry of Education briefed the Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances in New Delhi. The committee reviewed the progress of the investigation and the security measures implemented for the scheduled June 21 re-examination. The panel further directed authorities to maintain an accurate medical admissions seat matrix and ensure timely student counseling.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah criticized the systemic failures surrounding the leak, noting that it occurred in five BJP-governed states: Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Abdullah pointed to the extreme heat students face during retakes and criticized Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for relying on the Army and Indian Air Force to transport examination papers.