The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two more accused on Wednesday in the NEET paper leak case, taking the total number of arrests to 13.
The first accused has been identified as Dr Manoj Shirure, a resident of Latur. He allegedly arranged chemistry question papers from another accused, PV Kulkarni, for three students, including the son of a coaching centre owner who is also named in the case.
The second accused, Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, is a physics faculty member at a Pune-based coaching centre, Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA). He is alleged to have received leaked physics question papers of the NEET-UG 2026 examination from another arrested accused, Manisha Havaldar.
The investigation is ongoing as the agency seeks to uncover the full chain of conspiracy. The CBI has conducted searches at 49 locations so far and seized several key documents, along with laptops and mobile phones.
NSUI members took out a protest march on the streets in Ranchi, Jharkhand on Tuesday regarding the NEET paper leak case.
NEET paper was sold in 5 states
The CBI investigation has revealed that the NEET paper was allegedly circulated across five states, with Maharashtra emerging as the largest hub of the racket, while Rajasthan ranks second.
According to the agency, the paper leak case could be even bigger in scale. Investigators have not yet been able to determine how many students may have purchased the leaked question papers.
The CBI has also found evidence indicating that the question paper was printed and sold in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Officials say Maharashtra functioned as the main centre of the operation, from where the “question bank” was allegedly distributed to students in Rajasthan and other states.
CBI preparing list of those who paid money
The investigating agency is now preparing a list of all parents from whose bank accounts money was transferred to the accounts of Shivraj Motegaonkar, P V Kulkarni, or their associate Manisha Waghmare in Pune.
Apart from the National Testing Agency (NTA), several other external individuals remain under suspicion in the case. The CBI is expected to carry out further raids in other states in the coming days as part of its ongoing investigation.
Last date for fee refund is May 27
The National Testing Agency (NTA) opened a special portal on Friday for NEET-UG 2026 candidates, enabling them to submit their bank account details for a refund of the examination fee following the cancellation of the entrance test earlier this month.
The facility to provide bank account details will remain available from May 22 to May 27 until 11:50 pm.
Exam held on May 3 cancelled on May 12
The NEET-UG examination was conducted on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 centres abroad, with around 23 lakh candidates appearing for the test.
According to NTA, information regarding alleged irregularities in the examination was received on the evening of May 7, following which the matter was handed over to central agencies for investigation.
The exam was subsequently cancelled on May 12, and a decision was taken to conduct a re-examination.
