CBI Probe into NEET Leak Reaches Kerala; Multi-State Network Under Scanner

Thiruvananthapuram (IANS): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has extended its investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak to Kerala, following reports that a “guess paper” with a high percentage of original questions reached students across the state. The move comes just 24 hours after the National Testing Agency (NTA) officially cancelled the May 3 exam, affecting nearly 23 lakh aspirants.

The Kerala Connection and Rajasthan Links

The probe in Kerala intensified after the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) identified a digital trail linking a medical student from Churu, Rajasthan, who is currently studying in Kerala.

• The “Model” Paper: Investigators believe this student acted as a “node,” forwarding a set of approximately 400 questions to associates in Sikar (Rajasthan’s coaching hub) on May 1.
• Matched Content: Preliminary analysis shows a startling overlap; reportedly, 140–150 questions in the circulated “guess paper” matched the actual exam, covering nearly 600 out of 720 marks.
• Regional Spread: The CBI is investigating specific student groups in two Kerala districts who may have accessed the material via WhatsApp and Telegram.

The “Paper Leak Mafia” Pipeline

Evidence suggests the leak did not happen during transit but originated at the source.

• The Source: The CBI alleges the leak began at a printing press in Nashik, Maharashtra.
• Key Suspect: Authorities have detained Shubham Khairnar (30), an Ayurveda student and part-time counsellor, who is suspected of forwarding the original paper to intermediaries in Haryana.
• Distribution: The “mafia” disguised the leaked content as a coaching “guess paper” to avoid detection, selling it for anywhere between ₹25,000 and ₹25 lakh depending on the timing of access.

National Crackdown and Re-test

The CBI has now formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with four dedicated squads spanning 10 states, including Kerala, Rajasthan, Bihar, Haryana, and Maharashtra. Charges filed include criminal conspiracy, cheating, and criminal breach of trust under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Act 2024.

The NTA has announced that a fresh examination date will be released within the next 7–10 days.