The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation into the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 exam paper, following claims from Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) about a 'paper leak mafia' selling leaked questions as a 'guess paper' for between ₹10 lakh and ₹25 lakh per copy. The leaked material reportedly included all 90 biology questions and 45 chemistry questions from the May 3 examination. Investigators believe the network spans across several states, including Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Kerala. A suspect was arrested in Nashik, Maharashtra, who allegedly altered his appearance to evade capture. The CBI has filed an FIR based on a complaint from the Union education ministry, invoking serious charges such as criminal conspiracy and cheating. Preliminary investigations suggest that the leak may not have originated in Rajasthan, as a suspect from Haryana is believed to have acquired the paper from someone in Nashik. The investigation has revealed that the cartel involved had a nationwide reach, with several matches found between the guess paper and the official exam questions.