1998 batch Indian Statistical Service (ISS) officer Anuja Bapat and 2004 batch Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) officer Ruchita Vij have been appointed joint secretaries in the NTA. Meanwhile, 2013 batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer Akash Jain and 2013 batch Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) officer Aditya Rajendra Bhojdhiya have been appointed as joint directors in the agency.
These appointments come amid a widespread investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. On Saturday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested another alleged mastermind in the case. The agency identified Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune, as the alleged source of the leaked biology questions in the exam. According to the CBI, Mandhare was associated with the NEET-UG 2026 process as an NTA expert and had access to the question papers of Botany and Zoology.
Read this also NEET paper leak: CBI arrests Pune Botany teacher, who was appointed as expert by NTAInvestigators alleged that he conducted coaching sessions for NEET aspirants at his Pune residence and revealed several questions which later matched the actual exam paper held on May 3.
The arrest comes a day after retired chemistry professor PV Kulkarni was arrested in Latur in connection with the alleged leak. The agency said it conducted searches at six locations across the country and seized documents, laptops, bank statements and mobile phones.
Delhi court sent two accused in the case to 10-day CBI custody for further questioning.
Read this also NEET paper leak controversy: Delhi court sends two accused to 10-day CBI custodyAfter the cancellation of medical examinations, this controversy has become a big national issue. Student organizations and resident doctors’ bodies have held protests demanding accountability, while some groups have moved the Supreme Court seeking dissolution of the NTA in its current form.
Opposition parties have intensified their attacks on the Center over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stepped up his criticism by demanding the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the leak, while AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal urged Gen Z to take to the streets demanding accountability from the government.
So far, nine accused have been arrested in the case from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar.
