The NEET-UG paper leak investigation has taken a dramatic turn, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informing a Delhi court that the question paper may have been leaked from within the National Testing Agency (NTA) itself. The explosive claim has intensified scrutiny on the country’s premier examination body and triggered fresh concerns over the integrity of one of India’s biggest medical entrance examinations.
According to submissions made before the court, the CBI believes that individuals connected to the NTA may have played a role in leaking the examination paper before the test was conducted. Investigators also indicated that the arrested Ayurvedic doctor, Shubham Khairnar from Maharashtra’s Nashik, allegedly received the leaked paper through a Pune-based contact who may have links to insiders within the NTA.
The agency has now reportedly begun the process of identifying and verifying several NTA officials as well as individuals associated with other government institutions who may have had access to sensitive examination material.
During the court hearing, the CBI argued that the conspiracy behind the leak was extensive and involved a wider network than initially suspected. Investigators told the court that more individuals need to be questioned in order to uncover the full chain of operations behind the alleged leak.
Sources said the central agency is particularly focused on tracing how confidential examination papers moved from secure systems into the hands of middlemen and accused persons spread across multiple states.
The investigation has already led to several arrests. So far, five accused from three different states have been taken into CBI custody. Additionally, two more people — including a woman — were arrested separately from Pune on Thursday in connection with the case.
Over the past 24 hours, the CBI has reportedly conducted raids at 14 different locations as part of the expanding investigation. Investigators are said to have recovered mobile phones, digital evidence, and multiple communication records that could help establish links between suspects.
A special CBI team also visited the NTA headquarters in Delhi to collect documents and other relevant information connected to the examination process.
A spokesperson from the agency confirmed that several suspects have already been identified and are being examined as part of the ongoing probe.
The controversy began after the NEET-UG examination was held on May 3. Within days, allegations surfaced that the question paper had been leaked before the exam, triggering outrage among students and parents across the country.
Following mounting criticism and protests, the NTA cancelled the examination on May 12. The agency has now announced that the re-examination will be conducted on June 21.
The latest revelations from the CBI are likely to further intensify the national debate over examination security, accountability, and the credibility of competitive recruitment and entrance tests in India.
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