The CBI will file its second and final chargesheet in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case within a week, officials said. The document will name 13 individuals, including NTA-appointed subject experts, coaching operators, middlemen and candidates.

The probe found no role of central government officials or National Testing Agency office-bearers in the leak. The first chargesheet, filed on July 28, had also named 13 accused, including three subject experts for Botany, Zoology, Chemistry and Physics.

The NEET-UG 2026 paper, taken on May 3, was cancelled on May 12 after 120 questions were found to match a circulating guess paper. The exam was held again on June 21 for over 22 lakh aspirants.

Three more people, alleged beneficiaries of the leak through coaching centres, were arrested after the first chargesheet. A Rouse Avenue court has given the CBI seven days to file the supplementary chargesheet, with the next hearing on October 7.

The leak triggered nationwide protests and led to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation on July 25. The government has since overhauled the NTA, removing 50 staff and 600 subject experts and adding a four-tier question-paper scrutiny system.