In its charge sheet filed before the Delhi court, the CBI has revealed that three NTA subject experts breached an obligation of secrecy and circulated the question papers for the NEET-UG exam. As per the provisions invoked against them, each faces the prospect of life imprisonment and a Rs 1crore fine.
The three have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act, provisions for criminal misconduct by a public servant. The subject experts were deemed public servants as they were entrusted with confidential property or question papers by the NTA. The final report also alleges the execution of the crime, such as causing disappearance of evidence, criminal breach of trust by a public servant, receiving stolen property, cheating and dishonesty inducing delivery of property, booking them under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita provisions. Besides, the experts have also been booked under the Public Examination Act provisions for organised paper leak, which carries imprisonment for not less than five years, which may extend to 10 years and a fine of not less than one crore.
As per the charge sheet, biology subject expert Manish Gurunath Mandre, chemistry subject expert P.V. Kulkarni and physics expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar had signed a certificate of confidentiality, in which each of them declared, “not directly or indirectly involved in coaching for any entrance examination conducted by NTA, that the question/ question paper would not be written or typed personally by them, that it would be kept under lock and key while in their possession, and that they would not retain any note, copy or rough draft of questions”.
A detailed probe, however, revealed that despite the obligation of secrecy, the investigation identified Mandhare as a coaching teacher, Kulkarni, who conducted special classes for candidates shortly before the exam at his residence and in Pune, and Havaldar circulated the confidential papers herself and through associates. Filing the charge sheet, the CBI official said, “thus, the investigation establishes that, despite being entrusted with confidential work as a Biology subject expert for NEET UG 2026, accused Manisha Gurunath Mandhare was involved in coaching candidates, was connected with the circulation of confidential questions prior to the examination, received and handled such material through electronic means and through coaccused persons, facilitated the printing and onward handing over of question notes for unlawful gain.”
It added that despite being entrusted with confidential works as chemistry subject expert Kulkarni conducted special classes immediately before the examination and she shared the question paper for the subject with candidates for monetary gain and remained in contact with candidates, parents and co-accused persons involved in the syndicate.
The probe also revealed that Havaldar transferred and handled such materials by electronic means, facilitated the printing and delivery of leaked question notes, remained in contact with co-accused and acted for monetary gain.