The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested a Pune-based Botany professor in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, describing her as one of the key masterminds behind the leak of Biology questions.
The accused, Manisha Mandhare, was arrested in Delhi after extensive questioning at the CBI headquarters. Officials said she was part of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) paper-setting committee for the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3.
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According to investigators, Mandhare worked at Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Pune and had reportedly been associated with NEET question paper-setting for the past five to six years. The CBI alleged that she had complete access to Botany and Zoology question papers and leaked them to select aspirants during secret coaching sessions conducted in Pune in April 2026.
Officials claimed Mandhare dictated questions and answers to students during the sessions and allegedly collected lakhs of rupees in return. Students were reportedly instructed to note down the questions in notebooks and mark important sections in textbooks. Investigators stated that several of those questions later appeared in the NEET-UG examination.
The agency also alleged that another accused, Manisha Waghmare, helped mobilise NEET aspirants for the secret classes held at Mandhare’s residence. Waghmare had earlier been arrested on May 14.
The arrest follows the detention of retired Chemistry professor PV Kulkarni, who was identified as another alleged mastermind in the case. The CBI said the methods allegedly used by Mandhare closely matched Kulkarni’s operation involving leaked Chemistry questions.
So far, nine people have been arrested in connection with the nationwide probe spanning Pune, Delhi, Jaipur and Gurugram.
