NEET UG Paper Leak Spread to 5 States, CBI Compiling Buyer List

Recent investigations into alleged irregularities in the NEET UG examination have revealed a widespread paper leak network operating across multiple states in India. According to sources involved in the probe, the NEET question paper was not confined to a single city or state but was reportedly circulated and sold in at least five states, indicating a large and well-organized syndicate behind the operation. Preliminary findings suggest that Maharashtra emerged as the primary hub of the alleged paper distribution, followed by Rajasthan. The network is also believed to have extended its reach to other states including Bihar, creating a pan-India web of intermediaries, brokers, and alleged masterminds. The scale of the operation has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the national-level medical entrance examination system. Investigating agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), are actively probing the case. Officials reportedly uncovered this information after interrogating arrested suspects and analyzing digital devices seized during raids. The evidence points toward a structured “solver gang” ecosystem that facilitated the leak and monetized it heavily by targeting anxious students and their families. One of the most alarming aspects of the investigation is the financial angle. According to CBI sources, candidates and their parents allegedly paid between ₹20 lakh and ₹50 lakh per paper to gain access. In many cases, families are believed to have spent life savings in the hope of securing a medical seat for their children. The transactions were reportedly conducted through cash payments and covert channels to avoid leaving a digital trail. The probe has also expanded beyond intermediaries and masterminds. Authorities are now focusing on individuals who allegedly purchased leaked papers, including influential parents. The CBI is compiling a list of such individuals by tracing financial transactions linked to accounts of suspected brokers and gang members. Names associated with alleged operatives from Pune and other regions have surfaced during the investigation, and further arrests are expected as the probe deepens. Officials also indicated that the full extent of the scam is still under investigation. With additional arrests and ongoing digital forensic analysis, the number of involved candidates and beneficiaries could increase. There is also uncertainty regarding how many students may have directly or indirectly accessed leaked materials. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the NEET exam, has also come under scrutiny, though investigators have stated that several external actors beyond the agency are part of the probe. Multiple teams are working to gather concrete evidence and map the entire network involved in the alleged malpractice. Overall, the case has exposed a deeply concerning alleged nexus of brokers, educators, and financial transactions that has shaken trust in one of India’s most competitive examinations. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities suggest that further revelations are likely as the probe progresses.