CBI Uncovers NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak via WhatsApp Group

Aug 7, 2026

74 min

Aug 7, 2026 11:30

‘FIFA World Cup 2026’ group led CBI to NEET suspects

## Investigation into NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has traced a significant paper leak in the NEET-UG 2026 examination to a WhatsApp group named "FIFA World Cup 2026." This group, formed in November 2025, was initially used to organize biology classes and later became a hub for discussing exam schedules and evaluating expected marks.

## Coaching Conspiracy Unveiled

The CBI's chargesheet reveals that this group was part of a larger operation involving select candidates receiving coaching with leaked exam questions. Chemistry expert P.V. Kulkarni and biology expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare were linked to this conspiracy. The operation allegedly began around Diwali in October 2025, with Pune-based intermediary Manisha Waghmare recruiting candidates for exclusive coaching.

## Detailed Coaching Sessions

Kulkarni and Mandhare conducted both online and offline classes, with Mandhare instructing students to mark specific paragraphs in biology textbooks and write dictated questions. Kulkarni provided NEET-UG questions during chemistry sessions, which students copied into notebooks.

## Financial Transactions and Digital Evidence

Waghmare allegedly charged students approximately Rs 400,000 for access to the leaked material and continued recruiting until March 2026. Two days before the exam, she reportedly sent physics questions to a candidate, demanding an additional Rs 50,000 if they appeared in the test.

The investigation relies heavily on digital evidence, including WhatsApp conversations and electronic records. The chargesheet names several individuals, including three NTA subject experts and other associates, and spans nearly 20,000 pages with extensive documentation and witness statements.

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