Campus Times | Lucknow 

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that three subject experts associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) secretly leaked confidential questions during the preparation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination by relying on memory, handwritten notes and marked study material instead of digital communication.

According to the agencys 94-page chargesheet, accessed by NDTV, the accused allegedly memorised questions, copied them onto paper slips and identified corresponding chapters in NCERT textbooks before passing the information to students through intermediaries and coaching-linked contacts.

The chargesheet identifies chemistry expert PV Kulkarni, botany expert Manisha Mandhare, and physics expert Manisha Havaldar as the primary sources of the alleged leak. The three are among the 13 individuals arrested in connection with the case.

Investigators claim the accused used their official roles during the question-setting, moderation and translation process to gain access to confidential examination content. To avoid creating a digital trail, they allegedly relied on handwritten chits and memory-based reconstruction of questions after leaving secure premises.

The CBI has further alleged that the accused marked relevant paragraphs in NCERT books and shared these references with students through trusted coaching networks. During searches, investigators reportedly recovered handwritten notes that they believe were prepared by candidates after receiving the leaked material during private coaching sessions.

For relatively simple questions, the chargesheet claims, some experts memorised them during work hours and later wrote them down after returning to their hotel rooms. The agency has cited the example of accused PV Kulkarni, who allegedly handled back-translation work for three sets of question papers comprising 135 questions over a three-day period between March 31 and April 2, 2026.

The investigation also points to alleged security shortcomings at the NTA. According to the chargesheet, experts working in confidential sections were not subjected to frisking or exit checks, creating opportunities to retain or reconstruct examination content outside the secured environment.

The CBI alleges that the objective behind the leak was twofold—financial gain and improving the success rate of coaching institutes linked to some of the accused. Besides the three NTA experts, the chargesheet names coaching associates, middlemen and beneficiary candidates as part of the alleged conspiracy.

Overall, the agency has chargesheeted 13 individuals under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The accused face charges including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and destruction of evidence.

The investigation, launched after the CBI registered an FIR on May 12, involved multiple teams comprising 72 officers and cyber forensic experts. Searches were carried out at 92 locations across several states, leading to the seizure of electronic devices, documents and other material that is currently undergoing forensic examination.

The agency has cited 360 witnesses, 422 documentary exhibits and 43 material objects in support of its case. It has also frozen multiple bank accounts, lockers and a demat account while tracing the alleged money trail linked to the leak.

The chargesheet, along with nearly 20,000 pages of supporting documents and annexures, has been filed before Delhis Rouse Avenue Court. All 13 accused named in the chargesheet remain in judicial custody.

The allegations contained in the CBI chargesheet are yet to be examined and established before the court.