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NEW DELHI:    The CBI has arrested another key accused in the paper leak case, identifying her as the alleged original source of the leaked Physics question paper that triggered a nationwide controversy and eventual cancellation of the examination. The accused,, who is currently employed at Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala in, was arrested after prolonged interrogation by the CBI.

NTA-appointed expert had access to question papers

According to the investigating agency, Havaldar had been appointed as a subject expert by the and was directly involved in the NEET-UG 2026 examination process. The CBI said she had full access to the Physics section of the NEET-UG question papers. Investigators alleged that in April 2026, she shared several Physics questions with co-accused, who had earlier been arrested on May 16. According to the agency, the questions allegedly shared by Havaldar matched those appearing in the official NEET-UG 2026 Physics question paper sets.

CBI claims to have identified actual source of leak

The arrest is being viewed as a major breakthrough in the high-profile investigation, with the CBI claiming that the probe has now identified the “actual source” of the question paper leak.

“The investigation is continuing with special teams. The probe so far has identified the actual source of the question paper leak,” the agency said in an official statement.

The CBI further stated that it had also identified and arrested middlemen allegedly involved in recruiting students who paid huge sums of money to gain access to leaked examination material.

According to investigators, several students had allegedly paid lakhs of rupees to attend “special coaching classes” where questions expected to appear in the NEET-UG examination were shared in advance.

Raids conducted across multiple cities

As part of the investigation, the CBI has conducted searches at multiple locations across the country and seized a large quantity of digital and documentary evidence.

The agency said the seized materials include:

• Laptops
• Mobile phones
• Bank account statements
• Financial transaction records
• Other incriminating documents

Officials said forensic and technical analysis of the seized electronic devices and financial trails is currently underway.

11 accused arrested so far

With Havaldar’s arrest, the total number of accused arrested in the case has risen to 11. The arrests have been made from multiple cities.Investigators suspect the existence of a wider organised examination leak syndicate involving insiders, brokers, coaching operators and digital communication networks spread across several states.

Nationwide outrage over exam leak

The NEET-UG 2026 controversy triggered massive outrage across the country after allegations surfaced that portions of the medical entrance examination paper had been leaked before the exam.

The scandal affected more than 22 lakh aspirants and eventually led to cancellation of the May 3 examination by the NTA.

The Centre subsequently handed over the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation into the leak network and alleged organised malpractice.

Focus now on organised exam leak syndicates

Investigators are now examining whether the leak was part of a broader organised racket operating through coaching networks and insider access to national-level examinations.

The case has once again raised serious concerns over the integrity of India’s competitive examination system and intensified demands for stronger digital safeguards, tighter paper security and institutional accountability in high-stakes national entrance tests. Further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.