In a breakthrough in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak investigation, the Nashik City Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested a youth identified as Shubham Khairnar from the Indira Nagar area of Maharashtra’s Nashik district.

The arrest was reportedly carried out following specific intelligence inputs shared by the Rajasthan Police.

According to police officials, the accused will first be handed over to Rajasthan Police for further questioning before being transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has now taken over the wider probe into the alleged leak racket.

Reports said Khairnar is a BAMS student and is suspected to have links with the circulation of a so-called “guess paper” that allegedly contained over 100 questions matching the actual NEET-UG 2026 examination paper.

Investigators believe the material was circulated digitally before the exam was conducted on May 3.

The Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) had earlier launched a large-scale investigation after complaints emerged from Rajasthan and Uttarakhand regarding question papers allegedly being circulated before the examination.

The controversy intensified after students and coaching circles pointed out striking similarities between leaked material and the actual exam paper.

The scandal has triggered nationwide concern over the integrity of India’s biggest medical entrance examination, which was attended by over 22 lakh aspirants this year.

Following mounting evidence and investigative inputs from multiple agencies, the National Testing Agency (NTA) officially cancelled NEET-UG 2026 and announced that the examination would be reconducted on a later date.

Investigating agencies suspect the existence of an interstate network involved in leaking and distributing examination material for monetary gains.

Multiple arrests and detentions have already been reported from different states as the probe expands.

The case has also reignited political debate and public anger over repeated allegations of paper leaks in competitive examinations across the country, with students demanding stricter safeguards and accountability from examination authorities.