CBI investigates money trail in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case after discovering a possible money trail linked to students, coaching centres and several accused individuals. According to sources, students were allegedly charged between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh to gain access to the leaked question paper before the medical entrance examination.

The NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was held on May 3 for admission to undergraduate medical courses across India, was cancelled by the government after allegations of a paper leak surfaced. The cancellation affected more than 22 lakh students across the country and created widespread concern among students and parents.

Investigators are now trying to understand how the question paper was leaked, who was involved in circulating it and how money was collected from students.

According to officials, the paper leak network appears to have operated in an organised manner through trusted personal contacts, coaching centres and digital communication channels.

Sources connected to the investigation said the question paper allegedly reached Rajasthan through an accused identified as Yash Yadav. Investigators believe he was connected to another accused named Vikas Biwal. The probe has now expanded to examine the role of several people connected to the alleged racket.

The investigation has revealed that Vikas Biwal’s father, Dinesh Biwal, allegedly played a major role in leaking and circulating the paper. According to sources, he allegedly scanned the hard copy of the NEET-UG question paper and converted it into PDF files before sharing it further.

Investigators suspect that the paper was first handwritten before being scanned and distributed digitally. Officials believe the leaked material was then circulated among students studying in coaching centres in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, which is known as a major coaching hub for competitive exams.

The CBI has also found evidence suggesting that students were promised that nearly 150 out of the 180 questions in the actual examination would match the study material and mock papers provided to them in advance.

Officials say many students and parents may have believed the promises and agreed to pay large amounts of money for access to the alleged leaked paper.

Students allegedly paid lakhs for leaked papers

According to investigators, the accused allegedly collected payments ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh from students who wanted access to the leaked exam paper.

Sources further revealed that some students paid advance amounts even before the accused confirmed that the actual examination paper matched the leaked content.

Officials claim that an advance payment of around Rs 30,000 was collected from several candidates at the beginning of the operation.

The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan reportedly uncovered financial transactions worth nearly Rs 10 lakh linked to the paper leak network. Investigators are now tracing bank transfers, cash movements and digital payment records to identify everyone involved in the operation.

CBI officials are also investigating whether coaching centres or middlemen helped connect students with the accused.

According to sources, the accused reportedly assured students that the leaked material would significantly improve their chances of securing high marks in the exam. Since NEET is one of India’s most competitive examinations, many students and families are under intense pressure to secure medical college seats.

Experts say such pressure often creates opportunities for criminal networks to exploit students and parents through false promises and illegal methods.

The arrested accused were produced before a magistrate in Jaipur late on Wednesday night. After receiving custodial remand, the CBI began intensive questioning of the accused individuals at its headquarters.

Officials are now trying to determine whether the paper leak network was limited to Rajasthan or connected to a larger inter-state operation.

The probe agency is also examining whether insiders linked to examination authorities or printing systems may have been involved in the leak.

ALSO READ: Russia plans to deploy powerful Sarmat nuclear missile by end of 2026

ALSO READ: Donald Trump to visit China after nearly nine years amid global tensions

Digital evidence under investigation

The CBI is now closely examining digital evidence as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials are checking WhatsApp chats, mobile phone records, bank transactions and communication trails connected to the accused and suspected beneficiaries.

According to sources, Dinesh Biwal’s son, who himself appeared for NEET-UG 2026, allegedly knew in advance about the availability of the leaked paper.

Investigators claim he had created a WhatsApp group that was allegedly used to connect students interested in obtaining the leaked material and to coordinate payments.

Officials believe the accused relied heavily on private messaging platforms and closed communication networks to avoid detection.

The agency is also examining whether the leaked paper was shared in PDF format before the examination day and how widely it may have been circulated.

The CBI officially registered the case on May 12 after receiving a written complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education regarding alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG 2026.

Following the controversy, the Centre cancelled the examination and announced that the medical entrance test would be conducted again on a new date, which will be announced later.

The cancellation has left lakhs of students emotionally stressed and uncertain about their future. Many students had spent years preparing for the examination and were shocked by the sudden cancellation.

Parents and education experts have demanded strict action against those responsible for the leak. Many have also called for stronger security systems to protect the integrity of national-level examinations in the future.

Meanwhile, the CBI investigation is continuing, and officials say more arrests and revelations are possible as the agency examines financial records, digital evidence and links between the accused and students involved in the alleged paper leak racket.