The National Testing Agency (NTA) has suspended senior physics lecturer Manisha Sanjay Havaldar following her arrest in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal. The move came hours after authorities detained her as the 11th accused in the case that has shaken the credibility of the country’s premier medical entrance examination.

Havaldar, who has been teaching at Seth Hiralal Saraswati Prashala in Pimpri Chinchwad since 1992, was reportedly appointed by the NTA as an expert for the examination process. Investigators claim she had direct access to the physics question paper and allegedly shared select questions with another accused, Manisha Mandhare, in April.

Teacher’s Long Association With Institution

School secretary Dr Satish Gawde confirmed that Havaldar holds an MSc and BEd and was scheduled to retire on June 30. Describing the development as a serious betrayal, Gawde said the institution has set up a high-level internal inquiry committee to examine the matter thoroughly.

“We have no prior information about her involvement in any such activities,” Gawde told reporters. He added that the school stands firmly with students and will extend full cooperation to investigating agencies.

Timeline of the Leak Investigation

The NEET-UG 2026 examination was held on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 international centres, with nearly 2.3 million aspirants appearing for the test. Reports of irregularities surfaced on the evening of May 7, prompting the NTA to hand over the case to central agencies. The examination was officially cancelled on May 12, with a re-test announced later.

So far, 11 people have been arrested from multiple locations including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar. Of these, seven are from Maharashtra, indicating the leak network may have strong regional links.

 Accused Had Access to Physics Paper

According to sources familiar with the probe, Havaldar’s role allegedly involved facilitating the leak of physics-related questions. Initial investigations suggest she passed on specific items to associates ahead of the exam, though the full extent of the conspiracy is still being unravelled.

The arrest has once again highlighted vulnerabilities in the question paper handling and expert vetting process managed by the NTA. Many educationists have called for stricter protocols and better background checks for individuals appointed as question paper experts or evaluators.

 Impact on Students and Parents

The cancellation of the exam has caused significant anxiety among students and their families. With lakhs of candidates preparing for months, the decision to conduct a re-examination has disrupted academic calendars and admission schedules for medical and dental courses.

Parents in Maharashtra, especially in Pune and surrounding areas, expressed disappointment over the unfolding scandal. Many feel the leak has undermined years of hard work by sincere students.

 NTA Opens Portal for Fee Refund

In a bid to address candidate concerns, the NTA opened a special portal on May 22 for NEET-UG 2026 aspirants to submit bank details for examination fee refunds. The window will remain open until 11:50 pm on May 27. Candidates are advised to provide accurate information to ensure timely processing.

This development comes amid growing demands for greater transparency and accountability from the testing agency.

 Broader Questions on Exam Security

The NEET paper leak case has triggered widespread debate on the security of competitive examinations in India. Education experts point out that repeated leaks in recent years point to systemic gaps that need urgent fixing. From question paper printing to transportation and expert involvement, every stage is now under scrutiny.

Central agencies are continuing their investigation, with more arrests expected in the coming days. The focus remains on tracing the full chain of the leak and identifying possible beneficiaries.

As the nation awaits the re-examination date, the suspension of Havaldar and the ongoing probe serve as a stark reminder of the challenges in conducting large-scale, high-stakes tests with complete integrity. Students, meanwhile, hope for a fair and leak-proof process in the upcoming re-test.