The Central Bureau of Investigation has expanded its probe into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak to include a circulation network in Kerala [1].
The investigation targets the integrity of one of India's most competitive medical entrance exams. The scale of the suspected breach has led to the cancellation of the test, affecting millions of aspiring doctors and sparking nationwide protests [2].
Investigators are specifically examining the distribution of a "model question paper" that was circulated among candidates [1]. A CBI spokesperson said the agency expanded the investigation to Kerala after tracing the circulation of this document [1]. The probe seeks to determine if the model paper was a legitimate leak of the actual examination content or a sophisticated attempt to defraud students.
The NEET-UG 2026 exam took place on May 3, 2026 [2]. Approximately 22.79 lakh students sat for the examination across India and abroad [2]. Following allegations of a paper leak, the exam was cancelled [2].
While the current focus has shifted toward Kerala, the investigation has also identified links to Rajasthan [1]. The CBI is working to map the network responsible for the leak to identify how the documents were sourced and distributed before the May 3 test date [1, 2].
Officials have not yet announced the number of arrests made in connection with the Kerala network, but the probe remains active as part of a broader effort to address systemic vulnerabilities in national testing [1].
“The CBI has expanded its NEET leak investigation to Kerala after investigators traced the circulation of a "model question paper".”
The expansion of the probe to Kerala suggests that the NEET-UG 2026 leak was not an isolated incident but part of a multi-state organized network. Because the exam serves as the primary gateway to medical education in India, the cancellation for over 22 lakh students creates a significant administrative and psychological burden on the candidate pool, potentially delaying the academic cycle for an entire year of students.
