Daijiworld Media Network – Pune
Pune, May 16: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a biology lecturer who was allegedly part of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) paper-setting committee for the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, officials said on Saturday.
The accused, identified as Manisha Mandhare, a Botany professor from Pune, was arrested in Delhi after prolonged questioning at the CBI headquarters. Investigators have described her as “another mastermind” behind the alleged leak of Biology questions for the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
According to the CBI, Mandhare’s arrest follows the interrogation of alleged kingpin P V Kulkarni, a retired Chemistry professor, along with other accused already held in the case.
Mandhare is employed at Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Pune and had reportedly been involved in setting NEET question papers for the NTA over the past five to six years.
Officials said she was appointed as an expert for preparing Botany and Zoology questions for the 2026 examination.
The agency alleged that Mandhare had complete access to the Botany and Zoology sections of the question paper and leaked several questions to select NEET aspirants during secret coaching sessions conducted in Pune in April this year.
The CBI claimed that she dictated leaked questions and answers to students during these sessions and charged lakhs of rupees in return.
“During these classes she explained and disclosed various questions from Botany and Zoology subjects and made the students note down the same in their notebooks and also mark in their textbooks,” the agency stated.
Investigators further claimed that many of the questions discussed during the coaching sessions matched those that later appeared in the NEET-UG examination held on May 3.
The CBI said prospective candidates for these special sessions were mobilised with the help of another accused, Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested on May 14.
“During April 2026 she had mobilized prospective NEET examination candidates through Manisha Waghmare of Pune and conducted special coaching classes for these students at her Pune residence,” the agency said.
Officials noted that a similar modus operandi was allegedly used by Kulkarni for leaking Chemistry questions. He too was allegedly assisted by Waghmare in gathering students for covert coaching sessions conducted at his residence in Pune.