The Rajasthan SOG has traced the origin of a widely circulated handwritten question bank to a medical student in Kerala, raising serious questions about the integrity of the national medical entrance exam.
NEW DELHI/KOZHIKODE: The investigation into the alleged paper leak of the NEET-UG 2026 examination has taken a significant turn, with the probe now expanding into Kerala. Authorities are currently scrutinizing a “guess paper” containing 281 handwritten questions, of which a staggering 135 were found to be identical to those in the actual test conducted on May 3.
The Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), leading the multi-state inquiry, has traced the digital trail of the suspected material to an MBBS student from Churu, Rajasthan, who is currently studying at a medical college in Kerala.
The “600-Mark” Overlap
The overlap between the circulated material and the official exam paper has sent shockwaves through the academic community. According to SOG Additional Director General Vishal Bansal, the matching questions—primarily across the Chemistry and Biology sections—could account for nearly 600 marks out of the total 720.
Investigators revealed that the sequence of answer options in several questions also matched the circulated document perfectly. While the National Testing Agency (NTA) maintains that the exam was conducted under strict security protocols, the “striking similarities” have prompted a deeper look into whether this was a sophisticated leak or an impossibly accurate prediction.
Tracing the Network: From Dehradun to Kerala
The SOG’s preliminary findings suggest a complex web of distribution:
- The Origin: The material allegedly originated from Dehradun and reached the student in Kerala.
- The Circulation: On May 1, the student reportedly shared the PDF with an associate in Sikar, Rajasthan.
- The Proliferation: From Sikar, the document spread rapidly via encrypted messaging apps and social media, reaching hostels and career counselors.
- The Sale: Reports indicate the “guess paper” was initially sold for prices ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh, with the cost dropping to ₹30,000 on the night before the exam as it became “forwarded many times.”
Investigation Status and NTA’s Stand
Over 20 individuals have been detained for questioning across Sikar, Jaipur, Kota, and Dehradun. Among those under the scanner is a PG accommodation operator in Sikar who allegedly received the material before the exam.
The NTA has acknowledged the SOG probe, stating it received inputs regarding “alleged malpractice” on May 7, four days after the examination. While the agency emphasizes that GPS-tracked vehicles and 5G jammers were used to ensure security, it has shared technical data with central agencies to verify the claims.
Concerns Over Exam Integrity
This controversy reignites the debate over the safety of high-stakes competitive exams in India. For thousands of students and their families—especially the significant aspirant population in Kerala and the Gulf—the outcome of this probe is critical. If the leak is confirmed, it could lead to legal challenges regarding the validity of the 2026 rankings and the subsequent admission process.
