FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Linked to NEET Exam Leak Scandal
WHO:
Gulf News - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the NEET exam leak scandal.
ThePrint - Key accused include P.V. Kulkarni (chemistry expert), Manisha Gurunath Mandhare (biology expert), and Manisha Waghmare (intermediary).
ThePrint - The chargesheet names 13 accused persons, including Latur-based doctor Manoj Shirure, Tejas Harshadkumar Shah (physics faculty), and Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar (coaching centre).
WHAT:
Gulf News - The WhatsApp group "FIFA World Cup 2026" was used to evaluate examination marks and calculate expected scores.
ThePrint - The chargesheet states that a batch of eight students was brought together for "personal coaching lessons" in Pune.
ThePrint - Kulkarni conducted offline chemistry sessions for two batches comprising nine students.
ThePrint - Mandhare's biology classes were attended by eight students.
ThePrint - Waghmare allegedly collected one candidate's biology notebook at the end of the coaching program, which was then shared with others outside the group.
Gulf News - An eight-member WhatsApp group named "FIFA World Cup 2026" was created to coordinate biology classes and evaluate examination marks.
ThePrint - A group of 10 students was allegedly trained using leaked NEET questions.
ThePrint - Waghmare arranged biology classes by Mandhare in two phases—November-December 2025 and March-April 2026.
ThePrint - Kulkarni conducted chemistry classes from October 2025 to mid-January 2026 and offline sessions in April 2026.
ThePrint - During biology classes, Mandhare instructed students to mark specific paragraphs in textbooks and write dictated questions in the margins.
ThePrint - Kulkarni allegedly provided students with specific NEET-UG questions and answers during offline sessions.
ThePrint - Waghmare allegedly collected Rs 4 lakh from candidates for access to the leaked paper.
WHERE:
Gulf News - The WhatsApp group was used to coordinate activities in Pune.
ThePrint - Kulkarni conducted chemistry classes at his residence in Nanded City, Pune.
ThePrint - Mandhare's biology classes were also held at her residence in Pune.
WHEN:
Gulf News - The WhatsApp group was created in November 2025.
ThePrint - Preparations for the alleged leak began around Diwali in October 2025.
ThePrint - Kulkarni's offline chemistry sessions took place between 25 and 27 April 2026.
ThePrint - Mandhare's offline biology sessions occurred between 19 March and 24 April 2026.
ThePrint - Waghmare sent physics questions to a candidate on 1 May, two days before the exam.
WHY:
ThePrint - Waghmare allegedly contacted aspirants to offer exclusive NEET coaching, promising results.
HOW:
ThePrint - Investigators cited 360 witnesses, 422 documents, and 43 material objects in the chargesheet to support the case against the accused.
ThePrint - The accused conducted online and offline classes to leak NEET-UG 2026 questions over several months.
ThePrint - Students were instructed to copy specific questions into their notebooks during classes.
ThePrint - Waghmare operated a WhatsApp group named "NEET 2026" to coordinate with candidates and Kulkarni.
(UPDATED August 7, 2026 15:52 UTC)
A WhatsApp group named "FIFA World Cup 2026" was reportedly used to evaluate examination marks and calculate expected scores in a recent academic scandal involving coaching lessons in Pune. The chargesheet reveals that eight students received personal coaching, with Kulkarni conducting offline chemistry sessions for two batches and Mandhare teaching biology to another group of eight. Investigators have compiled a substantial case against the accused, citing 360 witnesses, 422 documents, and 43 material objects to support their findings.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 14:19 UTC)
The Central Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating a scandal involving the leak of NEET exam questions, with key accused including chemistry expert P.V. Kulkarni, biology expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, and intermediary Manisha Waghmare. The investigation reveals that an eight-member WhatsApp group named "FIFA World Cup 2026" was created to coordinate biology classes, and students were allegedly trained using leaked questions, with Waghmare reportedly collecting Rs 4 lakh from candidates for access to the leaked paper. Classes were held at the residences of the accused in Pune, with Kulkarni conducting chemistry sessions from October 2025 to mid-January 2026 and Mandhare holding biology classes in two phases, while preparations for the leak began around Diwali in October 2025.