In a major development that has affected more than six lakh teaching aspirants across Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged leak of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 question paper.
The decision came after authorities postponed the state-wide examination, which was scheduled to be conducted on June 28, following reports that portions of the question paper had been leaked before the exam. The incident has triggered a large-scale investigation involving multiple police teams and raised fresh concerns over the security of competitive examinations in the state.
The SIT will be headed by Thane Joint Commissioner of Police Panjabrao Ugale and has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive probe into the alleged leak, identifying all individuals involved and uncovering the network behind the operation.
Fadnavis orders strict action
Soon after details of the alleged leak emerged, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the situation and directed authorities to take stringent action against those responsible.
According to officials, the Chief Minister spoke with School Education Minister Dada Bhuse and Director General of Police Sadanand Date, instructing them to ensure a thorough investigation and bring all culprits to justice.
The state government has indicated that it views the matter seriously, particularly because of the large number of candidates affected and the impact such incidents have on the credibility of public examinations.
Officials said the SIT has been empowered to investigate all aspects of the case, including the source of the leak, the distribution network and any possible involvement of insiders.
Exam postponed one day before scheduled date
The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE), which conducts the Teacher Eligibility Test, announced on Saturday that the examination scheduled for June 28 had been postponed.
The decision was taken after the agencies reported the alleged circulation of original question papers before the examination.
The announcement came as a major setback for lakhs of candidates who had spent months preparing for the exam and were scheduled to appear at centres across the state the very next day.
According to official data, more than six lakh candidates had registered for the examination.
The test was to be conducted at 1,728 examination centres spread across 37 locations in Maharashtra.
The sudden postponement has disrupted travel plans, accommodation arrangements and preparations made by thousands of candidates and their families.
Three arrested In Bhiwandi
The investigation gathered pace after police arrested three individuals from Bhiwandi in Thane district.
According to officials, the accused, who are originally from Bihar and Haryana, were allegedly found in possession of copies of the original TET question paper.
The arrests provided investigators with what they believe could be crucial leads regarding the source of the leak and the network involved in distributing examination material.
Police are currently questioning the accused to determine how they obtained the papers, whether any money changed hands and if additional individuals were involved in circulating the documents.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a larger interstate racket operating behind the leak.
Multi-state investigation underway
Officials said multiple police teams have been dispatched to various states to trace the origin of the leaked paper and identify the mastermind behind the operation.
The investigation is expected to cover several states because preliminary findings suggest that the network may extend beyond Maharashtra.
Senior police officials believe that digital communication channels, intermediaries and organised examination fraud networks could have played a role in the alleged leak.
The SIT is expected to coordinate with local police units, cybercrime teams and intelligence agencies to track the movement of the leaked question papers and identify all beneficiaries.
Investigators are also examining mobile phones, digital devices and financial transactions linked to the accused.
Case registered under stringent laws
A criminal case has been registered at Kongaon Police Station in Thane district.
Authorities have invoked several legal provisions, including sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examinations Act.
Officials noted that the Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, was enacted specifically to deal with examination fraud and paper leaks.
The law contains strict provisions aimed at deterring organised cheating networks and safeguarding the integrity of competitive examinations.
Importantly, some offences under the Act are non-bailable, reflecting the seriousness with which the state views crimes that compromise public recruitment and educational assessments.
Legal experts say the use of the Act could result in harsher punishment if investigators establish that the accused deliberately attempted to manipulate the examination process.
Why the TET examination matters
The Teacher Eligibility Test is one of the most important examinations for aspiring teachers in Maharashtra.
The exam serves as a qualifying benchmark for candidates seeking teaching positions in schools and educational institutions.
Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for the examination in the hope of securing eligibility certificates that are essential for teacher recruitment.
Because the exam directly influences future employment opportunities, any breach of its integrity can have significant consequences for candidates and the education system.
Paper leaks not only affect genuine aspirants but also undermine public confidence in recruitment and selection processes.
Education experts have repeatedly stressed that maintaining transparency and fairness in such examinations is critical to ensuring merit-based recruitment.
MSCE explains decision to postpone exam
In its official statement, the Maharashtra State Council of Examination said postponing the examination was necessary to facilitate a detailed investigation.
“Given the gravity of the situation and the necessity for an in-depth probe, the examination scheduled for June 28, 2026, has been postponed,” the council stated.
The examination body emphasised that conducting the test amid allegations of a paper leak could have compromised the credibility of the entire process.
Officials said the decision was taken to protect the interests of candidates and ensure that the examination is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
The council also reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination system.
No additional fee for candidates
Amid concerns among candidates regarding re-registration and additional costs, authorities clarified that applicants would not be required to pay any fresh fee when the examination is rescheduled.
Officials said all registrations would remain valid and candidates would automatically be eligible to appear for the revised examination.
The government and examination authorities have urged candidates not to panic and to avoid paying attention to rumours circulating on social media.
The revised examination schedule will be announced through official channels once the investigation progresses and authorities are satisfied that adequate safeguards are in place.
Growing concern over examination fraud
The Maharashtra TET paper leak is the latest in a series of examination-related controversies that have sparked national concern over organised cheating rackets.
In recent years, several states have reported incidents involving leaked papers, impersonation, digital cheating networks and fraudulent recruitment examinations.
These incidents have prompted governments across India to strengthen laws, deploy technology-driven monitoring systems and establish dedicated investigative mechanisms.
Experts believe that examination fraud has increasingly become an organised criminal activity involving middlemen, digital communication platforms and interstate networks.
As a result, authorities have been forced to adopt tougher laws and more sophisticated surveillance measures.
