New Delhi, July 28: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken significant action in the NEET UG 2026 question paper leak case by filing a chargesheet against 13 arrested individuals. The agency has leveled serious charges including criminal conspiracy, fraud, and destruction of evidence against the accused. Additionally, charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 have also been included.
The chargesheet comprises testimonies from 360 witnesses, 422 documents, and 43 crucial physical pieces of evidence. According to the CBI, all 13 accused are currently in judicial custody.
The investigation began when the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education lodged a complaint on May 12, 2026, regarding alleged irregularities and a paper leak in the NEET UG 2026 examination, which took place on May 3, 2026.
Following the complaint, the CBI registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation on the same day. The agency formed multiple teams comprising 72 officers and staff, including eight cyber forensic experts, to probe the matter.
During the investigation, the CBI conducted searches at 92 locations across several states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. The agency seized digital devices, communication tools, documents, and other essential materials.
Forensic analysis of the seized digital evidence was conducted. The CBI reported that it traced the entire chain from the source of the paper leak to the beneficiary students, revealing the roles of those involved.
The first arrest in this case occurred on May 13, 2026. To date, a total of 13 individuals have been apprehended, including three subject matter experts in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics from the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The investigation also uncovered the involvement of several intermediaries who facilitated the distribution of the leaked question papers to candidates. Additionally, two individuals associated with coaching institutes were arrested for obtaining the leaked papers from the experts.
The CBI is also investigating financial transactions related to the case. During the money trail examination, several bank accounts, bank lockers, and a demat account linked to the accused were frozen.
The agency has reported that digital forensic reports, handwriting expert opinions, and academic expert assessments have confirmed the accused’s roles in disseminating the leaked questions prior to the examination.
The CBI stated that further investigations and forensic analyses are ongoing. The agency reiterated its commitment to taking stringent action against those involved in malpractices in crucial examinations like NEET, ensuring that offenders face severe penalties under the law.
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