The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Pune-based lecturer Manisha Sanjay Havaldar in connection with the alleged leak of the NEET UG 2026 physics paper, according to a report from the Press Trust of India (PTI). Havaldar, who is employed at Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala in Pune, has been identified by the CBI as a key suspect in this case.
The CBI spokesperson stated that Havaldar, appointed as an expert by the National Testing Agency (NTA), had full access to the physics exam questions and reportedly shared some of these questions with another accused, Manisha Mandhare, back in April. The agency is currently analyzing several seized items, including documents, laptops, bank records, and mobile phones.
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), which took place on May 3 and is critical for medical school admissions, was canceled by the NTA following allegations of a paper leak. A re-examination has been scheduled for June 21 as the investigation by the CBI continues.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remarked on the situation, stating that the government felt compelled to make “tough decisions” due to detected irregularities during the NEET-UG 2026 administration. He emphasized that no deserving student should lose their rightful place because of the “examination mafia” and asserted the government’s commitment to ensuring that the re-examination process is “100 percent error-free.”
