– NEW DELHI: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Saturday approved key appointments in the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the department of higher education amid the ongoing NEET-UG 2026 paper leak row and growing scrutiny of the examination body. Anuja Bapat, an Indian Statistical Service (ISS) officer of the 1998 batch, and Ruchita Vij, an Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer of the 2004 batch, have been appointed as joint secretaries in the NTA. Meanwhile, Akash Jain, an Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer of the 2013 batch, and Aditya Rajendra Bhojadhiya, an Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) officer of the 2013 batch, have been appointed as joint directors in the agency.The appointments come amid a widening 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 leaked Biology questions in the examination. According to the CBI, Mandhare was associated with the NEET-UG 2026 process as an NTA expert and had access to Botany and Zoology question papers.Also read | NEET paper leak: CBI arrests Pune botany teacher who NTA appointed as expertInvestigators alleged that she conducted coaching sessions for NEET aspirants at her Pune residence and disclosed several questions that later matched the actual examination paper conducted on May 3.The arrest came a day after the CBI arrested retired chemistry professor PV Kulkarni in Latur in connection with the alleged leak. The agency said it had conducted searches at six locations across the country and seized documents, laptops, bank statements and mobile phones.The Delhi court sent two accused in the case to 10-day CBI custody for further interrogation.Also read | NEET paper leak row: Delhi court sends two accused to 10-day CBI custodyThe controversy has escalated into a major national issue following the cancellation of the medical exam. Student organisations and resident doctors’ bodies have staged protests demanding accountability, while some groups have moved the Supreme Court seeking the dissolution of the NTA in its present form. Opposition parties have stepped up their attacks on the Centre over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sharpened 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 seeking accountability from the government.So far, nine accused have been arrested in the case from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’History Or Geography’: Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi Issues Stern Warning To PakistanCBI Seeks 14-Day Custody Of Accused In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case; Pune Botany Teacher Arrested’Misquoted’: CJI Surya Kant Clarifies ‘Cockroach’ Remarks On Unemployed YouthNetherlands Returns 11th Century Chola-Era Copper Plates To India During PM Modi’s Visit’Jhalmuri Reached Here Too?’: PM Modi Invokes Bengal Polls In Netherlands, Lauds Indian DiasporaRampur Court Sentences Azam Khan To 2 Years In 2019 Speech Case, SP Veteran Faces Fresh Legal BlowRG Kar Case Back In Spotlight As BJP MLA Ratna Debnath Calls Mamata Banerjee ‘Head Of Criminals’RG Kar Case Back In Spotlight As BJP MLA Ratna Debnath Calls Mamata Banerjee ‘Head Of Criminals’Delhi Court Grants Robert Vadra Bail In Shikohpur Land Deal Money Laundering Case,ED Probe ContinuesMamata Banerjee Tells Leaders Free To Leave TMC, Vows To Rebuild Party After Bengal Poll Rout123Photostories9 junk food swaps that can make your diet healthierIt’s not just salt anymore: Why your stressful 10-hour workday could be pushing your blood pressure higherCannes 2026 Day 4: John Travolta’s surprise win, Léa Seydoux’s magic, and unmissable red carpet glam!Travellers beware: 5 dirtiest things in a hotel room you didn’t know aboutHow to grow jasmine that flowers year-round in Indian weather: 5 mindful tips for beginners5 pro tips to brighten dull skinRice flour vs wheat flour: Which one is actually easier on the stomach?5 adorable pet dog breeds that grow tall and large8 vegetarian foods Indians used before protein powder existed8 local Indian foods loved around the world123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingRishabh PantNEET PaperIPL Points TableNEET Aspirant DieKerala Board SSLC Result 2026IPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026Bengaluru RapeCBSE 2 Language RuleRussia Lavrow
NEW DELHI: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Saturday approved key appointments in the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the department of higher education amid the ongoing NEET-UG 2026 paper leak row and growing scrutiny of the examination body. Anuja Bapat, an Indian Statistical Service (ISS) officer of the 1998 batch, and Ruchita Vij, an Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer of the 2004 batch, have been appointed as joint secretaries in the NTA. Meanwhile, Akash Jain, an Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer of the 2013 batch, and Aditya Rajendra Bhojadhiya, an Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) officer of the 2013 batch, have been appointed as joint directors in the agency.The appointments come amid a widening 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 leaked Biology questions in the examination. According to the CBI, Mandhare was associated with the NEET-UG 2026 process as an NTA expert and had access to Botany and Zoology question papers.Also read | NEET paper leak: CBI arrests Pune botany teacher who NTA appointed as expertInvestigators alleged that she conducted coaching sessions for NEET aspirants at her Pune residence and disclosed several questions that later matched the actual examination paper conducted on May 3.The arrest came a day after the CBI arrested retired chemistry professor PV Kulkarni in Latur in connection with the alleged leak. The agency said it had conducted searches at six locations across the country and seized documents, laptops, bank statements and mobile phones.The Delhi court sent two accused in the case to 10-day CBI custody for further interrogation.Also read | NEET paper leak row: Delhi court sends two accused to 10-day CBI custodyThe controversy has escalated into a major national issue following the cancellation of the medical exam. Student organisations and resident doctors’ bodies have staged protests demanding accountability, while some groups have moved the Supreme Court seeking the dissolution of the NTA in its present form. Opposition parties have stepped up their attacks on the Centre over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sharpened 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 seeking accountability from the government.So far, nine accused have been arrested in the case from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar.
