The NEET-UG 2026 examination, initially slated for May 3, has been canceled following revelations that its question paper was allegedly sold for ₹30 lakh a full week prior to the exam date. This significant breach has led to a major investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), uncovering a sophisticated multi-state distribution network that disseminated the paper to hundreds of students.
How the Leak Unfolded
According to initial reports, two brothers from Rajasthan's Jamwa Ramgarh, Mangilal and Dinesh Biwal, allegedly acquired the NEET 2026 paper from a doctor in Gurugram on April 26. The transaction, valued at ₹30 lakh, set in motion a chain of events that compromised one of India's most critical entrance examinations.
Initially, the brothers shared the paper within their own family, including with one of their sons who was preparing for NEET in Sikar. Three days later, on April 29, they reportedly began selling it to other individuals. The paper then reached Rakesh Kumar Mandawariya, an MBBS counseling agent operating in Sikar, who allegedly bought it and resold it for ₹30,000 to a student. This student, pursuing MBBS in Kerala, then forwarded the paper to his father, a PG hostel operator in Sikar, with instructions to share it with girls in his hostel, confirming its authenticity for the upcoming exam.
The Gurugram Doctor and Nashik Connection
Investigators are now intensely focused on identifying the Gurugram doctor, who is believed to be a central figure in the leak. Rajasthan Police sources suggest the paper may have originated from a printing press in Nashik, reaching the doctor through a complex 'chain network' before it was passed on to the Biwal brothers.
In connection with the alleged leak, a man has been detained in Nashik, with Rajasthan Police teams expected to take custody. However, the Indian Medical Association's Gurugram president, Dr. Rajesh Kataria, noted that no medical body has yet been contacted by investigative agencies regarding the alleged doctor's involvement.
Scale of Distribution and Suspicions
The leaked PDF circulated widely through WhatsApp and Telegram groups set up by students and coaching operators in Sikar. Mandawariya, arrested in Dehradun, is alleged to have distributed the paper to approximately 700 students. The paper's journey reportedly spanned from the Nashik printing press through Haryana, Jamwa Ramgarh, and Sikar, eventually spreading to Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.
Further deepening suspicions, investigators discovered that the Biwal brothers reportedly knew nearly a month in advance that this year's paper would be leaked. One brother, Dinesh, is also said to have political party affiliations, and four children from their extended family had cleared NEET the previous year, adding layers to the ongoing inquiry.
Current Status of Investigation
The NEET-UG 2026 examination was officially canceled on Tuesday. The CBI has registered an FIR, citing criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft, and destruction of evidence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Act, 2024. Multiple special CBI teams have been deployed across various locations, actively collecting evidence and collaborating with the Rajasthan Police SOG.
The Rajasthan Police SOG had previously claimed that a chemistry 'guess paper' circulated before the exam contained around 410 questions, with approximately 120 matching the actual paper. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has stated that fresh examination dates will be announced within seven to ten days, amidst widespread outrage from students demanding accountability and a re-evaluation of the examination process.