Pune: Modern College Suspends Teacher Arrested in NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case

Pune, 19th May 2026: Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce has placed Biology teacher under suspension after her arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

The college administration on Monday suspended Manisha Mandhare, a junior college faculty member, with effect from May 16 — the day she was taken into custody by the CBI. The action was taken under Rule 33(5) of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1981.

The decision was approved during an emergency meeting of the governing body of the Progressive Education Society after news of her arrest surfaced.

Mandhare, 58, has been teaching Biology to students of Classes 11 and 12 and had been associated with the institution since 2002. She was scheduled to retire later this year. The CBI arrested her on Saturday for her alleged role in the leak of Botany and Zoology question papers of the NEET-UG 2026 examination. Investigators have named her among the main accused in the case.

College authorities said Mandhare had been working with the National Testing Agency as a subject expert for the past five to six years. However, they clarified that all assignments and communication related to the NTA were handled independently under strict confidentiality norms, and that the college neither had any role in the process nor any information about the work entrusted to her.

In a statement, the management said the college and the educational institution had “no direct or indirect role” in the alleged malpractice.

Describing the alleged paper leak as a grave matter affecting the credibility of the education system, the management said details of the suspension had been conveyed to the commissioner of education, deputy director of education and other concerned authorities.

Shamkant Deshmukh, secretary of the Progressive Education Society, said the institution had acted promptly after the arrest. “The concerned teacher has been suspended in accordance with the provisions of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools Rules. The confidential examination work was assigned by the NTA independently, and the institution had no connection with it. We will fully cooperate with the investigating agencies, including the CBI,” he said.