Tracking NEET UG ‘Leaked Paper’: From One Copy In Nashik To Scores Of Students Across 5 States

Last Updated:May 12, 2026, 14:37 IST

The NEET UG leaked paper travelled from Nashik in Maharashtra to Haryana To Andhra, J&K, Rajasthan & Telangana, say government sources

As the National Testing Agency on Tuesday cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 exam held on May 3, government sources said the investigators have tracked the path of the leaked paper which led to the action.

The government has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the “irregularities".

How the leaked paper travelled

The racket members met at Nashik in Maharashtra. From Nashik, only one copy of the paper was physically sent to Haryana. In Haryana, five different sets were made. Each set had 10 copies each and then papers were then sent to Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Telangana. Ten copies were sent to each state through the nexus, said sources.

What the NTA said on the leaked paper

“The National Testing Agency is aware of reports concerning the action initiated by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group in connection with alleged irregularities around NEET (UG) 2026. The examination on May 3, 2026 was conducted as scheduled and under a full security protocol," the NTA had said.

According to the agency, inputs regarding alleged malpractice activity were received on the evening of May 7, four days after the examination, and were escalated to central agencies on the morning of May 8 for “independent verification and necessary action".

NEET UG 2026 Cancellation Not NTA’s First Brush With Controversy: 5 Times It Failed To Prevent Breaches

Vishal Bansal, Additional Director General (ADG) of the Rajasthan Police’s SOG, had said on Monday that a probe is currently focused on a “guess paper" that was allegedly circulated among students ahead of the examination.

“Regarding the various misconceptions surrounding the NEET examination, let me clarify one specific point: there is a guess paper containing approximately 410 questions. Out of these, it is alleged that roughly 120 questions appeared in Chemistry," Bansal had said.

While the Chemistry paper in the exam carries 45 questions, the test used four sets of question papers.

“It is reported that this guess paper had been circulating among the students well in advance; it began reaching them as early as 15 days to a month prior to the actual examination. We are investigating on the basis of the guess paper and it is also available in open domain," he had said.

Action taken so far

The Rajasthan SOG has taken 15 suspects into custody from locations including Jaipur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Dehradun. One key suspect, identified as Manish from Jaipur, is believed to be a central figure in the operation. Another suspect, Rakesh Mandawaria, who runs a consultancy in Sikar, is also under intense questioning. Those detained include coaching centre owners, career consultants, and at least one medical student currently studying in Kerala.

What next for students?

The examination for students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in medical colleges will now be held afresh on dates to be notified separately.In a statement on X, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said the decision was taken in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.

“On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately," the agency said.

The NEET-UG 2026 examination was held on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. The examination was organised by the NTA for nearly 23 lakh registered candidates at centres across the country.

The agency said the inputs received, taken together with findings shared by law enforcement agencies, established that the “present examination process could not be allowed to stand." “The re-conducted examination dates, along with the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be communicated through the official channels of the Agency in the coming days," it added.

“NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires," it added. “This decision has been taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests," NTA said.

The agency acknowledged that the re-conduct of the examination would cause “real and significant inconvenience" to candidates and their families, but said the decision was necessary to prevent “greater and more lasting damage" to trust in the examination system.

With PTI inputs

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