NEET-UG 2026 paper leak probe widens: 15 detained, SOG probes ‘guess paper’ circulation

The investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case has intensified, with the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) detaining 15 people so far and probing what officials suspect could be a wider inter-state network involved in circulating exam questions before the test.

As per a report by News 18, among those detained is a Jaipur-based man identified as Manish, whom investigators are treating as an alleged mastermind in the case. The probe has now turned its focus towards Rajasthan’s Sikar district, which investigators believe may have been a major hub in the suspected leak operation.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 3, is the country’s largest entrance examination for undergraduate medical admissions. Allegations that questions were circulated before the exam triggered outrage and led to an extensive investigation by the Rajasthan SOG.

Sikar, Churu among districts under probe

As per the report, investigators suspect that Rakesh Mandawaria, who runs SK Consultancy on Piprali Road in Sikar, may have played an important role in the alleged circulation of the question bank. According to officials, the material may have reached him as early as April.

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The probe further found that a Churu student currently pursuing MBBS in Kerala allegedly received a PDF copy of the question bank from Sikar. Investigators are also examining how the material allegedly spread to districts including Jhunjhunu and locations as far as Dehradun.

Officials believe printed copies were also circulated among students. The SOG is now trying to trace how widely the material was distributed, in which states it may have been sold, and the amount of money involved.

SOG examines ‘guess paper’ angle

Rajasthan Police Additional Director General Vishal Bansal said that investigators are focusing on a “guess paper” carrying nearly 410 questions that allegedly circulated before the examination.

“Regarding the various misconceptions surrounding the NEET examination, let me clarify one specific point: there is a guess paper containing approximately 410 questions. Out of these, it is alleged that roughly 120 questions appeared in Chemistry,” Bansal said.

“It is reported that this guess paper had been circulating among the students well in advance. It began reaching them as early as 15 days to a month before the actual examination. We are investigating based on the guess paper, and it is also available in the open domain,” he added.

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“Our investigation is currently focused on determining whether any cheating or criminal activity has occurred based on this guess paper,” Bansal said.

NTA defends security measures

Amid mounting criticism, the NTA said the examination was conducted under “full security protocol”. The agency said question papers were transported in GPS-tracked vehicles with unique watermark identifiers, while centres were monitored through AI-assisted CCTV surveillance. Biometric verification and 5G jammers were also used.

The agency said it received inputs about alleged malpractice on May 7 and referred the matter to central agencies the next day for investigation. Political reactions have meanwhile continued to escalate, with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacking the Centre over the controversy.