Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, a Pune lecturer and school headmistress, was arrested by the CBI in connection with the NEET-UG physics paper leak case, just 40 days before her retirement.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Manisha Sanjay Havaldar in relation to the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 physics paper, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into examination malpractice.
Havaldar, a lecturer and headmistress at Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala in Pune, was reportedly involved in the NEET-UG examination process as a subject expert. Investigators assert that she had direct access to the physics question paper prior to the medical entrance exam.
As she approached retirement, with only about 40 days left in her career, her arrest has dramatically altered the course of her professional life. Following the CBI’s actions, the school administration suspended her and pledged support for the ongoing investigation.
According to the CBI, Havaldar allegedly shared portions of the NEET-UG 2026 physics paper with co-accused Manisha Gurunath Mandhare in April, weeks before the examination took place. The agency claims that the leaked questions corresponded with the actual physics section of the NEET-UG exam.
Further allegations suggest that the leaked content was disseminated among select aspirants through a broader network involving teachers, middlemen, and individuals linked to coaching institutes. Reports indicate that students were charged substantial fees for access to the leaked questions and special “revision sessions” based on the paper.
The CBI has identified Havaldar as a “key source” in the leak of the NEET-UG physics questions, and her arrest marks the 11th apprehension in the expanding investigation into the alleged paper leak syndicate.
Officials are currently examining digital devices, communication records, and connections among multiple accused individuals across Maharashtra and other states to uncover the full extent of the network involved in this scandal.
The NEET-UG paper leak controversy has reignited concerns regarding the integrity of India’s competitive examination system. In recent weeks, the CBI has conducted numerous arrests and raids associated with the alleged leak syndicate, scrutinizing several teachers, coaching operators, and intermediaries.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to question additional individuals connected to the examination process in the days ahead, as they work to dismantle the network behind this significant breach of trust.
As the situation develops, the implications of this case may have far-reaching effects on the future of examination integrity in India, particularly in high-stakes assessments like the NEET-UG.
According to The Sunday Guardian, the investigation continues to unfold, revealing the complexities and challenges faced by authorities in maintaining the sanctity of educational assessments.