NEET 2026 paper leak case: CBI chargesheets 3 NTA subject experts, says leaked questions shared throught covert coaching sessions

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against three National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts who were involved in preparing the NEET UG 2026 question paper. The three have been accused of leaking confidential examination material and misusing their official position for financial gain.

The investigation revealed that the three experts, who were entrusted with preparing confidential NEET UG 2026 questions, removed the question papers from NTA's custody and shared them with others before the examination. The agency has alleged that the leaked material was used to provide unauthorised coaching and tutoring to candidates in exchange for money.

The agency has invoked Section 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, relating to criminal breach of trust by a public servant, provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and other provisions of the BNS. According to the CBI, conviction under Section 316(5) of the BNS carries punishment of life imprisonment or imprisonment up to 10 years along with a fine.

The agency further stated that offences under Section 11 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 carry punishment of seven to 10 years' imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 10 crore, if proved.

As per the chargesheet, the Biology subject expert has been accused of taking committed criminal breach of trust by removing NTA's proprietary confidential material from its premises. The confidential question material entrusted to her constituted property of NTA. Further, under Section 317(2) of BNS, 2023, for dishonestly receiving leaked physics questions from co-accused, knowing that it was property obtained through criminal breach of trust from NTA, and retaining them.

According to the chargesheet, the said expert has also been booked under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly dishonestly misappropriating confidential NTA question papers for monetary gain.

ANI has reported that the CBI has further invoked Section 10 read with Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, alleging that she leaked confidential questions, colluded with others and provided leaked material and unauthorised tutoring to candidates before the examination. Section 11 of the Act has also been invoked for her alleged involvement in organised criminal activity relating to the public examination.

The chemistry subject expert has been chargesheeted under Section 238 of the BNS, with the CBI alleging that he intentionally destroyed original question notes supplied to candidates after becoming aware of the offence. He has also been booked under Section 316(5) of the BNS on allegations that he removed confidential NTA question material entrusted to him as a subject expert. The agency further alleged that he dishonestly misappropriated confidential question papers for monetary gain.

CBI has further invoked Section 10 read with Sections 3, 4 and 5, as well as Section 11 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, alleging that he leaked questions, colluded with others, facilitated unauthorised tutoring and participated in organised criminal activity.

The third, Physics subject expert has also been chargesheeted under Section 238 of the BNS on allegations that she intentionally destroyed original question notes shared with co-accused persons and candidates after becoming aware of the offence. The CBI has further booked she under Section 316(5) of the BNS, alleging that she removed confidential NTA question material from official custody, thereby committing criminal breach of trust as a public servant.

She has also been chargesheeted under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly dishonestly misappropriating confidential NTA question papers for monetary benefit.

The agency has additionally invoked Section 10 read with Sections 3, 4 and 5, along with Section 11 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, alleging that she leaked questions for monetary gain, colluded with others, provided leaked material and unauthorised tutoring to candidates prior to the examination, and participated in organised criminal activity.

Leaked questions shared through secret coaching sessions

The CBI has alleged that the leaked NEET UG 2026 questions were shared with selected candidates through covert "special revision sessions" held in Pune before the examination.

According to the chargesheet, Chemistry and biology subject experts conducted these sessions at their residences in April, where they allegedly dictated the exact questions, multiple-choice options, and correct answers. Candidates attending the sessions wrote down the questions and answers in their notebooks.

As per latest media report by India Today, the investigation also found that the Physics questions were leaked through a separate channel. The CBI alleged that Physics expert dictated the questions to Pune-based coaching faculty, who wrote them by hand.

Shah then photographed the handwritten notes and allegedly shared them with the Director of Renukai Career Centre (RCC) in Latur. According to the agency, she had saved his phone number under the contact name "God."

Investigators also traced an online money transfer made by him to a mobile number registered in the name of her husband, which the CBI has cited as part of the financial trail in the case.

Candidates Allegedly Taken to Hospital to Memorise Questions

According to the CBI, chemistry and biology subject experts, along with a Pune-based paediatrician, allegedly arranged for selected candidates to be taken to a Hospital in Latur before the NEET UG 2026 examination.

At the hospital, the candidates were made to memorise the leaked question bank before appearing for the NEET-UG examination, according to the chargesheet.

The CBI later recovered Rs 5 lakh in cash from a family member of the paediatrician during the investigation.

Also read- How internal lapses in NTA, coaching network led to NEET 2026 paper leak? CBI probe reveals