Education

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Patna | June 22, 2026 : The nationwide controversy over the NEET question paper leak, the NEET UG 2026 re-examination was conducted under strict security arrangements on Sunday, June 21. More than 20 lakh candidates appeared for the crucial medical entrance examination across the country. However, despite the enhanced security measures and strict monitoring, authorities failed to completely prevent malpractice, as a major examination fraud racket was exposed in Bihar on the very day of the re-examination.

Bihar Police uncovered a large-scale cheating network involving fake candidates appearing on behalf of original aspirants. A total of nine individuals, including MBBS students from reputed medical colleges and doctors, were arrested for allegedly impersonating candidates and attempting to write the NEET UG 2026 examination for others.

The fraud came to light during the examination process when strict biometric verification was carried out at various examination centres. The mismatch in biometric details exposed the impersonators, leading authorities to catch them red-handed. Seven fake candidates were detained from Kendriya Vidyalaya in Lakhisarai, one was caught at KRK High School, and another was arrested from Hasanpur High School.

Investigators revealed that the arrested individuals belong to different districts of Bihar as well as other states, and all of them are reportedly associated with well-known medical institutions. Considering the seriousness and possible interstate links of the racket, police have also detained seven employees of a private agency responsible for managing biometric attendance recording during the examination. They are currently being questioned to determine whether there was any involvement or negligence in allowing the fraud to take place.

Under the supervision of District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar and Superintendent of Police (SP) Prerna Kumar, a special administrative and police team has launched an extensive investigation to identify the masterminds behind the interstate cheating network. Continuous raids and searches are being conducted at multiple locations to uncover the entire chain of the racket and identify all individuals involved.

The latest incident has once again raised serious concerns over the security and transparency of one of India’s most important entrance examinations. Despite introducing advanced verification methods and tighter security after the previous paper leak controversy, the exposure of another major fraud during the NEET UG 2026 re-examination has put the examination system under renewed scrutiny.