NEW DELHI: In a breakthrough in NEET UG 2026 paper leak, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Pune based school headmistress named Manisha Sanjay Havaldar for allegedly leaking the Physics section of the exam. Her arrest has raised serious concerns over possible involvement of insiders in one of India’s biggest examination controversies. As per the information presented by CBI, Manisha Havaldar is the headmistress of Sheth Hiralal Saraf Parshala in Pune, and was appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) itself as a subject expert for NEET UG 2026. Thus, her role gave her direct access to confidential NEET UG 2026 examination material, including question papers which were meant for lakhs of aspirants.
CBI alleges that Havaldar leaked the Physics portion of the paper to co-accused Manisha Mandhare who is a senior Botany teacher from Pune was arrested earlier on May 16. During the investigation, it was reportedly found that the leaked questions matched those that eventually appeared in the NEET UG 2026 examination.
As of now, with Havaldar’s arrest, the investigation by CBI has now exposed the alleged involvement of three insiders connected to the education sector. Apart from Havaldar and Mandhare, retired Chemistry lecturer P V Kulkarni from Latur has also been accused of leaking the Chemistry portion of the examination. Mandhare allegedly handled the Biology section, including Botany and Zoology questions, while Kulkarni is accused of leaking Chemistry related content. The accused used their academic credentials and trusted positions within the examination ecosystem to gain access to sensitive material of exam and misused.
The scenario has sparked outrage, and questions are now being raised about the integrity of the expert selection process. Following widespread criticism and protests, the Union Education Ministry, Dharmendra Pradhan and the NTA recently announced stricter measures for the upcoming NEET UG re-examination which will be held on June 21. It will include enhanced digital surveillance, tighter coordination with intelligence agencies, and increased monitoring of question paper handling.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had recently chaired a high-level review meeting with central security and intelligence agencies, and emphasized on the need for “safe, secure and fair conduct” of the examination process. The CBI is now examining whether a larger network involving educators, middlemen, and coaching linked operators was involved in circulating the NEET UG 2026 leaked papers.
