Who is Manisha Mandhare, 'mastermind' arrested by CBI in NEET 2026 leak case?
The CBI has arrested a key mastermind, Pune-based botany teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case. Investigators allege her access as an NTA expert helped leak Biology questions before the exam.
by Divyesh Singh · India TodayIn Short
- CBI arrests NTA expert linked to NEET Biology paper leak, Manisha Gurunath Mandhare
- Teacher allegedly shared Botany and Zoology questions before exam
- Nine accused arrested so far in NEET UG 2026 leak case
The NEET UG 2026 paper leak investigation has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of Pune-based teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, who the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has described as a key mastermind behind the alleged Biology paper leak.
Mandhare, a senior botany teacher from Maharashtra, was arrested in Delhi after extensive interrogation by the CBI.
According to investigators, she had direct access to Botany and Zoology question papers while working as an expert associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA).
As of now, nine people have been taken into custody across multiple cities as part of a widening NEET-UG paper leak investigation.
WHO IS MANISHA MANDHARE?
Professor Manisha Mandhare reportedly worked at Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Pune’s Shivajinagar area. Sources linked to the investigation claim she had been contributing to NEET question paper setting for nearly five to six years.
According to the CBI, Mandhare was involved in preparing Botany and Zoology sections for the NEET UG 2026 examination. At the time of the alleged leak, she was still employed at Pune college.
Investigators allege that her role inside the examination system gave her unrestricted access to confidential Biology questions before the exam was conducted on May 3, 2026.
HOW THE NEET BIOLOGY QUESTIONS WERE ALLEGEDLY LEAKED
The CBI claims that during April 2026, Mandhare allegedly identified and mobilised prospective NEET candidates through another accused, Manisha Wagmare, who was arrested earlier.
Investigators allege that special coaching sessions were conducted at Mandhare’s Pune residence. During these classes, students were reportedly made to note down important Botany and Zoology questions in notebooks and mark them inside textbooks.
According to officials, many of these questions later matched the actual NEET UG 2026 Biology paper.
The alleged operation points towards an organised leak network involving insiders, middlemen and candidates who reportedly paid large sums of money for access to probable questions.
CBI TIGHTENS THE NET ACROSS CITIES
The investigation has rapidly expanded across several states. In the last 24 hours alone, the CBI conducted searches at six locations nationwide and seized laptops, mobile phones, bank records and other incriminating documents.
Officials say digital and financial analysis of the seized material is currently underway.
The case was formally registered by the CBI on May 12, 2026, following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.
So far, nine accused have been arrested from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar. Several accused have already been sent to police custody for detailed questioning.
WHAT DID CBI FIND DURING THE INVESTIGATION?
The CBI says it recovered laptops, mobile phones, bank statements and multiple documents during raids conducted across six locations.
Officials are analysing digital evidence to trace the complete leak network and identify financial transactions linked to the NEET UG paper leak case.
WERE STUDENTS GIVEN LEAKED QUESTIONS BEFORE THE EXAM?
According to the CBI investigation, selected NEET aspirants were allegedly taught leaked Botany and Zoology questions during special coaching classes held in Pune before the examination.
Investigators claim several questions matched the actual NEET UG 2026 paper conducted on May 3.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NEET UG 2026
The arrest of Manisha Mandhare has intensified concerns around the integrity of India’s biggest medical entrance examination. With the NEET UG 2026 re-exam now scheduled for June 21, pressure is mounting on authorities to restore trust among lakhs of students and parents.
The investigation continues as the CBI attempts to uncover the full scale of the alleged NEET Biology paper leak and identify everyone involved in the network.
THE SCANDAL SO FAR: WHO HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN THE NEET LEAK CASE?
The NEET UG 2026 paper leak investigation has rapidly widened over the past few days, with the CBI uncovering what officials describe as an organised network involving exam insiders, middlemen and selected candidates. Till now, nine arrests have been made by the CBI in this case.
According to investigators, the alleged leak originated from individuals directly connected to the NEET UG 2026 paper-setting process. The biggest breakthrough came with the arrest of Pune-based botany expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, who allegedly leaked Biology questions after being appointed as an NTA expert with access to Botany and Zoology papers.
Before Mandhare’s arrest, the CBI had already arrested another alleged kingpin, chemistry professor PV Kulkarni from Maharashtra. Officials claim he was linked to the Chemistry paper leak and was associated with the NTA question-setting process.
According to details from the CBI remand note accessed by India Today Group (ITG), the agency has made serious allegations against PV Kulkarni, stating that his custody is necessary to identify the locations where NEET UG 2026 questions were allegedly revealed to certain candidates and to trace the complete chain of transfer of the leaked question paper.
The CBI has also said that Manisha Waghmare was in contact with Dhananjay, while Manisha Mandhare was reportedly also known to Kulkarni.
Investigators allege that Kulkarni, a subject expert associated with the NEET paper-setting process, provided questions to others through Manisha Waghmare.
The agency further claims that Waghmare and Kulkarni acted in conspiracy with others in obtaining and distributing the leaked paper, with Kulkarni also being involved in setting up the question paper.
So far, at least nine accused have been arrested from multiple cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar. Among those arrested are:
- Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, botany teacher and NTA expert
- PV Kulkarni, chemistry professor and alleged kingpin
- Manisha Waghmare, accused of mobilising students
- Dhananjay Lokhanda from Ahilyanagar
- Shubham Khairnar from Nashik
- Mangilal Biwal from Jaipur
- Vikas Biwal from Jaipur
- Dinesh Biwal from Jaipur
- Yash Yadav from Gurugram
The CBI has also carried out raids at multiple locations across India and seized laptops, mobile phones, bank documents and handwritten notes allegedly linked to the NEET UG 2026 paper leak network.
Officials are currently examining digital evidence and money trails to identify more accused and determine how students allegedly paid lakhs of rupees for access to leaked questions.
The controversy eventually forced authorities to cancel the original NEET UG 2026 exam and announce a nationwide re-exam on June 21, 2026.
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