The leaking of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG 2026) paper has once again exposed the weaknesses of the education system. This time, the main epicenter of the leak is said to be Nashik in Maharashtra, from where a digital copy of the paper was made and sent to different states across the country.
States like Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Kerala and Uttarakhand are involved in this scam. The investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak intensified on Tuesday when the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police arrested the alleged mastermind of the leak racket. According to sources, this has exposed a large inter-state network which was involved in distributing exam papers across multiple states. According to SOG sources in Jaipur, Manish Yadav, the alleged mastermind behind the paper leak, has been taken into custody in Jaipur. Rakesh Mandwariya, another main accused who distributed the leaked paper, has also been detained.
Where did the paper reach after it was leaked?
According to sources, the first digital copy of the NEET-UG paper was made at a secret place in Nashik. After that, it was sent to different “solver gangs”. Reports suggest that the paper was leaked directly from a printing press located in Nashik. After being leaked, the paper is said to have reached Haryana first.
Shocking revelations from Nashik operation
According to information received by the investigating agencies, an employee of a private courier service is suspected. It is alleged that he allowed someone to enter the safe trunk without permission for 30 minutes, during which a copy of the paper was taken out. Instead of simply taking photos, a high-definition portable scanner was used to ensure that a gang like the “Private Mafia” operating on Telegram could get clear, high-quality photos. A “shadow server” found outside Nashik; This server was used to host images of the paper and dodge the AI-based surveillance system of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The mastermind tried to make the data transfer look like normal internet traffic using a leased line from a small IT startup based in Nashik. In the leaked paper, 120 questions of Chemistry exactly matched the real exam paper. This set was prepared approximately 42 hours before the exam.
Revelations revealed from the investigation so far
Agencies are now focusing on the “unknown links” involved. According to sources, there is a nexus between the operator of a coaching institute in Nashik and a kingpin from Rajasthan, which breached the logistics security of the examination. The conspiracy between these two is still under investigation.
impact on students
Every year, lakhs of students appear for the NEET UG examination. This time, around 22 lakh students appeared for the examination. The incident of paper leak is endangering the future of hardworking students. The confidence of students competing for medical seats is breaking. Both parents and students are demanding justice.