NEET UG 2026 paper leak: CBI files FIR, forms special investigation teams

New Delhi: CBI on Tuesday registered an FIR in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, people in the know told ET. The case was filed based on a written complaint by the education ministry's higher education department.

CBI in a statement said it has filed an FIR for "offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft and destruction of evidence under BNS, offences under Prevention of Corruption Act and offences under the Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Act 2024".

Also Read: NEET-UG 2026 cancelled amid paper leak allegations, re-exam likely in June


CBI said it has constituted "special teams" and dispatched them to various locations for probe. It has been alleged that NTA received a complaint and input regarding unauthorised circulation of some documents prior to the conduct of the examination.

"The allegations indicate a possible compromise of the sanctity and integrity of the examination process. CBI has taken up the matter for a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the nature and extent of the alleged irregularities, as well as the involvement of individuals and entities connected therewith," CBI statement read.

CBI sources said they will investigate the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case from all angles, including the possibility of involvement of those who have a criminal history of involvement in paper leaks.

NEET-UG 2024 Probe

CBI had taken over the probe of a similar alleged paper leak of NEET-UG 2024. It has so far filed five charge sheets against 45 individuals, but the trial is yet to start. The Supreme Court had refused to order a re-test after CBI informed that "there was no widespread, systemic breach".

A bench headed by the then CJI DY Chandrachud in August 2024 told NTA that it "cannot afford to misstep, take an incorrect decision and amend it at a later stage". Instead, it should maintain the "highest standards of security and reliability" in conducting such exams, SC told NTA. Citing CBI's sealed cover reports, SC said in September it was "clear that there are no abnormalities in results when compared with the results for the past two years".

Sanjeev Mukhiya, the main accused in the 2024 case, was granted statutory bail in July 2025 by a Patna court since CBI failed to file a charge sheet within the stipulated 90 days after the arrest of an accused.

After his arrest by Bihar Police in April last year, CBI sought Mukhiya's remand from a Patna court. Among other reasons which triggered CBI's move was a viral video showing him entering the premises where exam papers were printed.

After probe, CBI discovered that the video was of 2023. Technical analysis, statement of witnesses, co-accused and other evidence gathered by CBI has not found Mukhiya's involvement in the 2024 case, sources told ET last August. An official had said since no evidence was found, no charge sheet was filed.

Mukhiya is wanted in other cases of paper leaks in Bihar - constable recruitment of 2023, teachers' recruitment - and was also linked to the 2016 constable recruitment paper leak. He had served a jail term in BPSC teacher recruitment case.

When asked about the case status, an agency official said: "CBI has probed eight cases related to NEET-UG 2024 and it is at various stages in courts." In the five CBI charge sheets in the case, Mukhiya has not been named as an accused.