NEET UG Paper Leak: Question Sets Codenamed 'Kailash' and 'Shivalik', CBI Chargesheet Reveals
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has revealed that "Kailash" and "Shivalik," named after iconic mountain ranges, were the codenames used for two sets of NEET UG question papers printed and distributed during the May 3 examination. The details emerged from the agency's probe into the paper leak that led to the cancellation of the medical entrance exam.
More than 22 lakh students had appeared for the May 3 test, which was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Following the paper leak, nationwide protests erupted, leading to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union Education Minister.
CBI Files Chargesheet in Delhi Court
The CBI, which completed a major portion of its investigation within 77 days, filed its chargesheet on Tuesday before a fast-track court in Delhi. The chargesheet spans 94 pages, while the complete case file exceeds 20,000 pages. The prosecution has proposed to examine 360 witnesses and has placed 422 documents and 43 articles on record. According to a source, statements from several students and other material witnesses were recorded before a magistrate during the investigation.
The agency has named 13 accused individuals in its chargesheet. Among those named are NTA subject experts, including biology expert Manisha Mandhare, chemistry expert Pralhad Vithalrao Kulkarni, and physics expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar.
NTA's Question Paper Preparation Process
During the investigation, the CBI requested the NTA to explain its procedure for preparing question papers. The NTA disclosed that it prepares four master sets of question papers for the NEET exam. Each master set comprises 180 questions, divided equally with 45 questions each across Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology.
NTA officials informed investigators that two of these four sets are designated as "administrative sets," which are printed in the required quantities and distributed to examination centres. For the NEET UG-2026 exam, these two administrative sets were codenamed "Kailash" and "Shivalik."
The remaining two sets are classified as non-administrative sets and are not intended for distribution under ordinary examination circumstances. From the two administrative sets, four series of question papers were prepared and printed, with the questions arranged in a random order before being distributed to candidates at the centres.
Messaging App Trails and Countrywide Conspiracy
The CBI investigation has uncovered two distinct messaging app trails through which the leaked question papers were circulated. Both trails originated in Maharashtra. The first trail followed a route through Rajasthan to Haryana, while the second trail moved through Rajasthan to Kerala.
Officials familiar with the inquiry have described the leak as a "countrywide conspiracy" that involved subject experts, coaching institutes, and middlemen.
