The alleged leak of the NEET-UG question paper has sparked nationwide outrage, with the Centre handing over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation, which has intensified raids and searches across several states. Investigating agencies probing the case have uncovered multiple links related to the leak, while digital devices including mobile phones and laptops seized from the accused have been sent for forensic analysis.
The CBI has so far arrested five persons in connection with the case — Mangilal Bival, Vikas Bival and Dinesh Bival from Rajasthan, Yash Yadav from Haryana, and Shubham Khairnar from Maharashtra — while nearly two dozen others are being questioned. During his production before a court, one of the accused alleged that influential masterminds behind the scam were being protected while ordinary individuals were being targeted.
Following strong evidence of a leak in Rajasthan, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination, forcing nearly 2.3 million students across the country to reappear for the test. Acting on the Centre’s directions, the CBI joined Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG) to speed up the investigation and also seized key documents and records from the NTA headquarters in Delhi.
Police teams in Rajasthan questioned over 150 students in Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Alwar and Jaipur districts as part of the probe. Investigators revealed that the leaked paper was circulated as a password-protected PDF through social media channels under the name “Private Mafia.” A Rajasthan student studying MBBS in Kerala allegedly shared the document with a hostel owner and fellow students, from where it spread among coaching aspirants. Police also detained a photocopy shop owner accused of printing and distributing the leaked material.
The controversy has now triggered a political storm, with former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleging that accused Dinesh Bival had links with BJP leaders, an allegation denied by the party. Meanwhile, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) approached the Supreme Court of India seeking reforms in the examination system, while protests intensified in Delhi with National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staging demonstrations outside the NTA office.