The Central Bureau of Investigation has uncovered detailed evidence showing how Chemistry questions from the NEET-UG 2026 exam were leaked and circulated before the test. According to a supplementary chargesheet filed in a Delhi fast-track court, investigators found that the founder of a Latur-based coaching institute possessed all 45 Chemistry questions from the exam's master sets. This discovery is significant for NEET aspirants because it reveals the scale and sophistication of the breach, and raises questions about how exam security protocols failed to prevent such widespread access to confidential test material.
CBI evidence shows a coaching class founder had complete access to all 45 Chemistry questions from NEET-UG 2026 master sets, which were leaked and shared through messaging apps before the exam.
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Unlock My College ListHow the Leaked Chemistry Questions Were Recovered
During its investigation, the CBI examined files recovered from the phone of Shivraj Motegaonkar, founder of RCC Classes in Latur, Maharashtra. Forensic experts from Delhi University compared these recovered documents with the official master sets used to conduct NEET-UG 2026. The comparison revealed a striking pattern: the leaked Chemistry questions matched the exam's master sets with near-complete accuracy.
According to the supplementary chargesheet filed on July 28, the CBI found that 43 out of 45 questions from one master set (codenamed 'Kailash') matched the leaked document. All 45 questions from another master set ('Shivalik') matched the leaked material. A third master set showed 40 out of 45 matching questions. This level of overlap indicates that whoever prepared the leaked document had direct access to the official question papers before the exam was conducted.
Understanding NEET's Four Master Sets and Why This Breach Matters
The National Testing Agency (NTA) prepares four separate master sets for NEET, each containing 180 questions divided equally among Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Two of these sets, called 'administrative sets,' are printed in large quantities and distributed to examination centres across the country. For NEET-UG 2026, these were codenamed 'Kailash' and 'Shivalik.' The other two sets are classified as non-administrative and are not meant for distribution during normal exam operations.
The fact that leaked questions matched both administrative and non-administrative sets suggests that someone with high-level access to NTA's question paper preparation process shared this confidential material. This is not a case of a few questions being guessed or obtained through minor security lapses—it represents a systematic breach of the exam's core security infrastructure. For aspirants, this raises concerns about whether the integrity of the exam can be guaranteed, and whether results from compromised exams might face legal challenges or require re-evaluation.
The Role of Mock Tests in Spreading Leaked Material
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The CBI investigation also examined mock test papers that RCC Classes had administered to its students before the actual NEET exam. A mock test dated April 19 contained 15 questions that matched the 'Kailash' master set. Another mock test from April 30 included six questions matching 'Shivalik' and five matching another master set. These mock tests were given to coaching institute students weeks before the official NEET-UG 2026 exam.
This pattern is particularly troubling because it shows how leaked material was being repackaged and distributed to paying students through coaching classes. Students who attended RCC Classes and took these mock tests were essentially being given advance access to actual exam questions, creating an unfair advantage. For other NEET aspirants who studied independently or attended coaching institutes without access to leaked material, this represents a significant breach of fair competition.
How Exam Material Circulated: WhatsApp, Telegram, and AirDrop
The CBI's investigation traced the movement of leaked exam material through multiple digital channels. According to witness statements recorded in the chargesheet, Chemistry PDFs attributed to Motegaonkar were received and circulated via WhatsApp. Additionally, investigators found evidence that hundreds of questions were transmitted through Telegram and AirDrop around May 1, just days before the NEET-UG 2026 exam was scheduled to take place.
The chargesheet documents statements from multiple witnesses describing an advance payment of Rs 5,000 made to an accused named Vikas Biwal from Jaipur, followed by the receipt and onward transmission of PDFs containing exam questions. This payment structure suggests an organized network where individuals were being compensated for obtaining and distributing confidential exam material. The use of multiple messaging platforms and file-sharing methods indicates an attempt to evade detection and ensure the material reached as many students as possible before the exam.
NTA Officials Named in the Chargesheet
The supplementary chargesheet names 13 accused individuals, including three officials from the National Testing Agency itself: Manisha Mandhare (Biology expert), Pralhad Vithalrao Kulkarni (Chemistry expert), and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar (Physics expert). The involvement of NTA's own subject matter experts in the alleged leak is particularly significant because these individuals would have had legitimate access to question papers during the preparation and review process.
According to the investigation, Kulkarni, the Chemistry expert, did not have access to one of the master sets because it did not undergo a 'back-translation' process. However, 12 images containing 13 Chemistry questions recovered from Kulkarni's phone between April 11 and April 29 matched questions across the four Chemistry master sets. This suggests that even without direct access to all sets, the accused individuals were able to obtain and share substantial portions of the exam material.
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What This Means for NEET-UG Aspirants and Exam Credibility
For NEET-UG aspirants, this investigation raises serious questions about the fairness and integrity of the 2026 exam. If a significant number of students had advance access to actual exam questions through coaching classes, then the merit-based ranking system that determines MBBS and BDS seat allocation becomes compromised. Students who scored well may have done so partly because they had seen the questions beforehand, while equally capable students who did not have access to leaked material may have scored lower.
The breach also highlights the vulnerability of India's medical entrance examination system. Despite being one of the world's largest standardized tests, with over 2 million aspirants, NEET's security protocols were insufficient to prevent high-level officials from leaking confidential material. This has implications for future exams: aspirants need assurance that the National Testing Agency will implement stronger safeguards, conduct more rigorous background checks on personnel with access to question papers, and establish better monitoring systems to detect unauthorized sharing of exam material.
The Investigation Timeline and Legal Proceedings
The CBI filed its supplementary chargesheet before a Delhi fast-track court on July 28, more than two months after the NEET-UG 2026 exam was conducted. The supplementary chargesheet named a fresh accused and included detailed forensic reports comparing recovered documents with official master sets. The use of a fast-track court indicates that the judiciary recognizes the seriousness of the case and the need for expedited proceedings.
The investigation involved multiple layers of evidence collection: forensic analysis of digital files, expert opinions from Delhi University, witness statements, handwritten notes, and payment records. This comprehensive approach demonstrates the CBI's effort to build a strong case against all accused individuals. For aspirants and their families, the ongoing legal proceedings are important to monitor because the court's findings may influence whether the 2026 NEET results are upheld, challenged, or potentially invalidated.
Lessons for Future NEET Aspirants: Protecting Exam Integrity
This case underscores the importance of maintaining strict confidentiality protocols in high-stakes examinations. For future NEET cycles, the National Testing Agency and the National Medical Commission must implement enhanced security measures, including compartmentalization of access to question papers, real-time monitoring of digital communications among personnel with access to confidential material, and regular security audits. The involvement of NTA's own subject matter experts in the alleged leak suggests that internal oversight mechanisms were inadequate.
For aspirants preparing for NEET, this investigation serves as a reminder that coaching classes offering 'leaked' or 'insider' questions should be viewed with extreme suspicion. Not only is using leaked material unethical, but it also exposes students to legal risk. The CBI's investigation shows that authorities are actively pursuing and prosecuting those involved in exam leaks. Aspirants should focus on genuine preparation through standard study materials, authentic mock tests, and coaching institutes that maintain ethical standards.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
How many Chemistry questions from NEET-UG 2026 were found on the coaching class founder's phone?
All 45 Chemistry questions from at least two of the four master sets used for NEET-UG 2026 were recovered from Shivraj Motegaonkar's phone. Specifically, 43 out of 45 questions from the 'Kailash' master set matched the leaked document, and all 45 questions from the 'Shivalik' master set matched. A third master set showed 40 out of 45 matching questions.
Who are the NTA officials named in the NEET paper leak chargesheet?
Three National Testing Agency officials are named in the chargesheet: Manisha Mandhare (Biology expert), Pralhad Vithalrao Kulkarni (Chemistry expert), and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar (Physics expert). These individuals had legitimate access to question papers during the exam preparation process, which may have enabled them to leak confidential material.
How was the leaked exam material circulated before the NEET-UG 2026 exam?
According to the CBI investigation, leaked Chemistry PDFs were circulated through WhatsApp, Telegram, and AirDrop. Witness statements describe an advance payment of Rs 5,000 to an accused individual, followed by the transmission of PDFs containing hundreds of questions around May 1, just days before the exam.
What is the difference between administrative and non-administrative master sets in NEET?
The National Testing Agency prepares four master sets for NEET. Two are designated as 'administrative sets' and are printed in large quantities for distribution to examination centres. The other two are 'non-administrative sets' and are not meant for distribution during normal exam operations. The fact that leaked questions matched both types suggests high-level access to confidential material.
How did RCC Classes use the leaked questions in their mock tests?
RCC Classes administered mock tests to its students that contained questions matching the official NEET master sets. A mock test from April 19 had 15 questions matching the 'Kailash' master set, and another from April 30 had six questions matching 'Shivalik' and five matching another master set. These were given weeks before the actual exam, giving students advance access to real questions.
When was the CBI's supplementary chargesheet filed, and in which court?
The CBI filed its supplementary chargesheet on July 28 before a Delhi fast-track court. The chargesheet named 13 accused individuals and included forensic reports comparing recovered documents with official master sets. The use of a fast-track court indicates the judiciary's recognition of the case's seriousness.
What does this paper leak mean for the fairness of NEET-UG 2026 results?
The leak raises serious concerns about exam fairness. Students who had access to leaked questions through coaching classes had an unfair advantage over those who did not. This compromises the merit-based ranking system used to allocate MBBS and BDS seats. The investigation may influence whether the 2026 results are upheld, challenged, or potentially invalidated by courts.
How did the CBI establish that recovered questions matched the official master sets?
The CBI compared documents recovered from the accused's phone with the official NEET master sets using forensic analysis and expert opinion from Delhi University. The comparison revealed that 40-45 out of 45 Chemistry questions in the leaked document matched the official master sets, establishing a clear link between the leaked material and the actual exam.
This investigation demonstrates that NEET's security infrastructure has significant vulnerabilities, even at the level of National Testing Agency officials. Aspirants preparing for future NEET cycles should focus on ethical preparation and be wary of coaching classes offering leaked material—the CBI's active pursuit of those involved shows that such shortcuts carry serious legal and ethical consequences. The ongoing court proceedings will be crucial in determining whether the 2026 exam results remain valid or face legal challenges.
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