Who Is Manisha Gurunath Mandhare? CBI Arrests Pune Botany Professor In NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak Probe
Who Is Manisha Gurunath Mandhare? CBI Arrests Pune Botany Professor In NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak Probe
The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Pune-based botany professor Manisha Gurunath Mandhare in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. Officials claim she had direct access to Biology questions as part of the National Testing Agency’s paper-setting process.
Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Pune-based professor Manisha Gurunath Mandhare in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.
According to officials, Mandhare was arrested in Delhi after being questioned at the CBI headquarters. Investigators have described her as “another mastermind” in the alleged leak of Biology questions for the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3.
Mandhare is reportedly associated with Modern College of Arts Science and Commerce in Shivajinagar, Pune. Officials claim she had been working as an expert involved in setting NEET question papers for the National Testing Agency for the past several years.
According to the investigation, Mandhare allegedly helped prepare Botany and Zoology questions for the 2026 NEET examination, giving her access to confidential Biology questions before the exam.
The CBI alleges that during April 2026, she conducted special coaching sessions for selected NEET aspirants at her residence in Pune. During these sessions, students were allegedly asked to note down important Botany and Zoology questions and mark answers in textbooks.
Investigators claim several of those questions later matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 Biology paper.
Officials also allege that candidates for these secret coaching sessions were mobilised with the help of another accused, Manisha Waghmare, who had been arrested earlier in the case.
According to the probe agency, large amounts of money were allegedly collected from candidates in exchange for access to probable exam questions and guidance.
Mandhare’s arrest reportedly followed questioning of alleged kingpin PV Kulkarni, a retired Chemistry professor who was arrested earlier in the investigation. Officials claim Kulkarni used a similar method to allegedly leak Chemistry questions through private coaching sessions conducted in Pune.
The CBI has informed the court that the investigation points to a wider network involving insiders, middlemen and students across multiple cities.
So far, nine people have been arrested in connection with the case from locations including Pune, Delhi, Jaipur and Gurugram.
The case was officially registered by the CBI on May 12 after a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.
Authorities have scheduled the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination for June 21. Candidates have been advised to follow official updates issued by the NTA and related authorities.
