New Delhi, May 16 -- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a second alleged mastermind in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG 2026 question paper leak case - a senior woman Botany teacher from Pune who was part of the National Testing Agency's (NTA) paper-setting committee - a day after arresting retired chemistry lecturer P V Kulkarni, whom investigators described as the kingpin of the racket, senior officials said.

The CBI said in a statement on Saturday that Manisha Gurunath Mandhare has been arrested after a thorough probe.

"She was involved in the NEET UG 2026 examination process and appointed by NTA as an expert. She had complete access to the Botany and Zoology question papers," the agency said....