New Delhi (India) May 16: The NEET UG 2026 paper leak case saw a dramatic development with the arrest of Pune-based teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, whom the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) called a "mastermind" behind the alleged Biology paper leak.

The Botany teacher from Maharashtra was arrested in Delhi after being questioned for many hours by the CBI. She was granted access to both Botany and Zoology question papers in her capacity as an expert associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Manisha Accused of Sharing NEET Questions

According to sources, the accused Manisha Mandhare was associated with the Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, located in Shivajinagar, Pune. Sources claimed that Mandhare had been contributing to the preparation of NEET question papers for the past five to six years. 

Mandhare was involved in preparing Botany and Zoology sections of NEET UG 2026 examination and was at that time in the service of the aforementioned Pune college. The allegation is that the investigation system enabled her to gain unrestricted access to the questions during the examination.

Mandhare Conducted Classes at Her Residence

The CBI claimed that she gathered students for the NEET entrance examination through Manisha Wagmare of Pune, who had already been taken into custody in May on the 14th. According to the CBI, Manisha conducted special coaching for students in her home where she leaked some Botany and Zoology questions and asked the students to copy them in their notebooks and textbooks.

They added that the majority of those questions appeared in the NEET-UG 2026 conducted on May 3 (now cancelled) and also that those had matches with the original question paper.

Nine Accused Arrested After Probe

The investigation is spreading over many states. Six locations were searched and laptop, mobile phones, bank details and various documents seized in the past 24 hours and their digital and financial analysis is on. Thus far nine persons are under arrest in different places like Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar. Many accused have been remanded to police custody.