The CBI has made another major arrest in the paper leak scam related to the country’s biggest medical entrance examination, NEET-UG 2026. The investigating agency has arrested a female accused from Pune, Maharashtra, who is said to be the key behind the leaking of Physics questions. According to CBI, the arrested accused has been identified as Manisha Sanjay Havildar, who worked at Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala, Pune. According to the agency, the questions shared by Manisha Havaldar were compared with the real Physics paper set for NEET-UG 2026, and significant similarities were found between the two. On this basis, CBI is considering him as an important link in this entire paper leak network.
Manisha Havaldar leaked physics paper
The CBI investigation has revealed that NTA – the National Testing Agency – had appointed Manisha Havildar as an expert in the NEET-UG 2026 examination process. As a result, he had direct access to the Physics question papers. It is alleged that during April 2026, he had shared several exam-related physics questions with co-accused Manisha Mandhare. CBI arrested Manisha Mandhare on May 16, 2026. In connection with this case, CBI conducted raids at many places across the country. During these raids, several important documents, laptops, bank statements and mobile phones were seized.
Fast pace of CBI investigation
Forensic analysis of these electronic devices and documents is being conducted to ascertain the full scope of the paper leak network and identify all those involved. CBI said that this case was registered on May 12, 2026. The investigation was initiated based on a written complaint filed by the Department of Higher Education under the Education Ministry. The complaint alleged that the NEET-UG 2026 exam paper was leaked. Soon after the case was registered, CBI formed special teams and started action at various places across the country.
11 accused arrested so far
So far, a total of 11 accused have been arrested in connection with this case. These arrests have been made in cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur and Ahilyanagar. The investigation also revealed that some middlemen were taking lakhs of rupees from the students and sending them to special coaching classes, where they were allegedly given only those questions which were going to appear in the NEET exam.
According to the CBI, the middlemen involved in this entire racket have also been identified – who used to claim to provide exam papers by charging huge sums of money from the students and parents. The agency has said that the investigation is ongoing and the entire network behind the paper leak will be exposed. The CBI has asserted that based on the investigation so far, they have successfully located the real source of the question paper leak, and more major revelations are expected in the coming days.
