The CBI has issued a chargesheet against 13 defendants who include 3 subject experts from the NTA-appointed subject experts. The chargesheet claims that they are part of an international gang that divulged confidential NEET-UG-2026 question documents in exchange for thousands of rupees. The charges have been brought pursuant to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as which is the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024.
In the charges NTA experts in the field Manisha Gurunath Mandhare (Botany), Prahlad Vithalrao Kulkarni (Chemistry) and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar (Physics) were accused of using in their positions of authority to gain access and leaked question papers, that were then distributed to brokers, coaches and intermediaries via Telegram or WhatsApp.
The CBI stated that forensic analyses of confiscated mobile phones as well as electronic devices tracked the movements of leaks of PDFs and images through the suspects. The investigation team claimed the documents were went through a chain of Yash Yadav, Shubham Madhukar Khairnar Dhananjay Lokhande, and Manisha Sanjay Waghmare. one transaction estimated to be worth 25 lakh rupees. The search also found an unsigned cheque academic certificate, a copy of the cheque as well as an WhatsApp group called “NEET 2026”, which investigators have cited as the most important evidence.
The chargesheet also states that applicants were provided with access to the exam for Rs.4 lakh, along with coaching assistance. The CBI has filed the chargesheet to the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue and will decide if it is appropriate to investigate the matter.
