NEET UG 2026: CBI files FIR, forms special teams to probe paper leak

Over 2 million students across 551 cities in India and 15 cities abroad appeared for the NEET-UG conducted by the National Testing Agency

Updated on: May 12, 2026, 20:30:15 IST

By Neeraj Chauhan, New Delhi

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday registered a case for a “comprehensive investigation” to ascertain the nature and extent of irregularities in the leak of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) (NEET-UG) examination paper held on May 3.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Kiran Kumar Chavan addresses a press conference regarding the arrest of an accused in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, in Nashik. (PTI)

This comes hours after the Centre ordered the CBI to probe into the matter. The federal agency formed and dispatched special teams at various locations as part of the probe.

“Based on a written complaint received from the department of higher education, ministry of education, government of India, CBI has registered a FIR [first information report] regarding the alleged irregularities and paper leak in the conduct of NEET-UG 2026 exam for offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft and destruction of evidence under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), offences under prevention of corruption act and offences under the public examination prevention of unfair means act 2024,” a CBI spokesperson said.

Over 2 million students across 551 cities in India and 15 cities abroad appeared for the NEET-UG conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 3. The examination has been cancelled by the Centre over paper leak.

Citing the complaint, CBI said “the NTA received a complaint and input regarding reported circulation of some documents pertaining to the NEET (UG) 2026 examination were circulated unauthorisedly prior to the conduct of the examination”, asserting that the allegations “indicate a possible compromise of the sanctity and integrity of the examination process”.

“The CBI has taken up the matter for a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the nature and extent of the alleged irregularities, and the involvement of individuals and entities connected therewith,” the spokesperson added.

“Special CBI teams have been formed and dispatched to various locations for investigation,” the statement added.

Also Read:NEET-UG 2024 paper leaked in Jharkhand; NTA officials had no role: CBI

Officials on account of anonymity said the NTA is in the process of handing over all documents related to the NEET-UG 2026, and statements of certain officials directly involved with the examination process will also be recorded.

The original complainant(s), who informed the NTA, will be called to provide inputs and the accused arrested by Rajasthan special operations group (SOG) will be interrogated, said officials.

Since the agency has invoked the prevention of corruption act, the role of government officers in the leak is not being ruled out as of now.

Opposition leaders criticised the government over the cancellation of NEET-UG examination.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged “organised corruption” in the education system and negligence by the government and said that the ‘Amrit Kaal’ promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned into a “poison era” for the country as students dreams are “crushed.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neeraj Chauhan
Neeraj Chauhan is a senior journalist with Hindustan Times and an investigative reporter specialising in national security, terrorism, organised crime, narcotics, corruption, financial crime and complex investigations. With over 21 years of experience across Hindustan Times, The Times of India, The Indian Express and The Pioneer, he has built deep expertise in India’s internal security and law-enforcement landscape. Neeraj has extensively covered India’s principal investigative, intelligence and security agencies, including the NIA, CBI, ED, IB, R&AW, MHA and other central security forces. His work has included deeply reported investigations into terrorism, terror financing, cross-border crime, narcotics trafficking, cybercrime, financial fraud and political and corporate corruption. He has reported on some of the most significant terror attacks and security developments in India over the past two decades, including the Delhi serial blasts, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the 2019 Pulwama terror attack and the recent Pahalgam attack. His reporting has also chronicled the rise and decline of the Indian Mujahideen, the activities and subsequent crackdown on the Popular Front of India (PFI), Islamist extremist networks, the conflict in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgencies in the Northeast and Maoist violence. Some of Neeraj’s major breaking stories are in Aryan Khan drug case, Sushant Singh Rajput suicide, interception of a 3,000-kg Afghan heroin consignment worth about ₹21,000 crore at Mundra port, Sri Lanka easter bombings, Aarushi-Hemraj murders in Noida, 2G scam, coal block allocation scam, AgustWestland VVIP chopper deal and major bank frauds and extradition cases involving Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya. His reporting is marked by an ability to cultivate sources, analyse confidential and complex documents, and follow investigations over several years—from the initial breakthrough to chargesheets, trials and international legal proceedings. He specialises in making complicated security and investigative developments accessible while examining their wider implications for governance and public policy. A Chevening South Asia Journalism Programme Fellow at the University of Westminster, Neeraj also spent time at the Financial Times as part of the fellowship. He was also a Robert Bosch Media Ambassadors India-Germany Fellow, studying at the University of Tübingen and working with Der Tagesspiegel in Berlin. He has previously taught investigative journalism and crime reporting as a guest faculty member at the Times School of Journalism. Over more than two decades, Neeraj has established himself as an authoritative voice on India’s national security and investigative landscape, with his reporting closely followed by officials, investigators, lawyers, policymakers and readers seeking insight into some of the country’s most complex and consequential developments.Read More

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