Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has revealed what it has described as one of the strongest pieces of evidence to date in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. 111 out of 136 handwritten questions recovered from the mobile phone of a Maharashtra-based coaching operator matched the NTA's official master question paper, suggesting that the exam paper may have been leaked well before the test was carried out.
The findings were read out before a Delhi court as CBI opposed the bail plea of Shivraj Motegaonkar, owner of Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) in Latur, Maharashtra. Investigators said the handwritten questions were an essential piece of evidence that would strengthen the case against the persons accused of being involved in the alleged paper leak network.
Motegaonkar, who also runs the popular YouTube channel Motegaonkar Sir's RCC with over 1.6 lakh subscribers, is accused of receiving the leaked questions on 23 April, nearly 10 days before the original NEET-UG examination on 3 May.
According to CBI, the leak was facilitated by Dr. Manoj Shirure, a paediatrician in Latur, and P.V. Kulkarni, a retired chemistry lecturer and former NTA panel member with access to confidential examination material. The questions were passed on for Rs 5 lakh, investigators say.
The agency also told the court that PDF copies of the leaked question paper were allegedly sold through Telegram for Rs 10 lakh, indicating that the operation was not an isolated incident but part of a larger, well-organised network covering multiple states.
In addition, the CBI said a 150-page "guess paper" that contained 410 questions was circulated weeks before the exam among some NEET aspirants. A forensic examination later found almost 120 chemistry questions in the document matched those in the real exam. Investigators believe this raises serious concerns that several candidates may have had access to a significant portion of the question paper before the test.
Maharashtra Link Was Under The Scanner
Maharashtra connection came after investigators traced the source of the so-called 'guess paper'. Previous investigations had already revealed that more than 100 questions in the circulated material matched the actual NEET-UG paper, leading authorities to expand the probe beyond Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
As the investigation continued, officials were investigating the alleged involvement of coaching operators and other individuals in Maharashtra. Now CBI believes multiple intermediaries worked together to obtain and circulate confidential examination material before the exam.
How did the Paper Leak come to light?
The controversy erupted when a 'guess paper' circulating among students in Rajasthan showed an unusually high overlap with the actual NEET-UG question paper. This raised suspicion, and the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) registered a case and began an investigation.
As the investigation progressed, investigators discovered what they believe is an organised interstate network involving question paper setters, intermediaries, coaching operators and candidates. It extended to Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi and was handed over to CBI.
The alleged leak had nationwide consequences. The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the May 3 NEET-UG examination and conducted a nationwide re-test on June 21, affecting more than 20 lakh medical aspirants across the country.
CBI is still investigating the money trail, digital evidence and the wider network behind the alleged leak. With handwritten questions that match the official paper, investigators say they now have one of the clearest indications yet that the integrity of one of India’s biggest entrance examinations was compromised before it was held. This led the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) to register a case and start an investigation.
As the investigation continued, investigators discovered what was suspected to be an organised interstate racket involving question paper setters, intermediaries, coaching operators and candidates in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi. The conspiracy itself was transferred to the CBI because of the extent of it.
The implications of the alleged leak were huge. The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the May 3 NEET-UG examination and ordered a nationwide re-test on June 21, affecting over 20 lakh medical aspirants across India.
CBI is still investigating the money trail, digital evidence and the wider network that may have been involved with the leak. The handwritten questions that Motegaonkar’s phone contained were very closely matched with the official exam paper, which the agency believes points to one of the most compelling pieces of evidence so far that the NEET-UG 2026 examination was compromised before the examination was conducted.
