An Indian Express investigation into 45 major paper leak cases from 2002 to 2025 shows only two convictions despite 1,658 arrests, as 22 lakh NEET UG candidates await a retest on June 21.
The Indian Express examined records of 27 job recruitment exams and 18 higher-education and school board tests, each with at least 1 lakh applicants. Only two cases ended in convictions, both involving Railway Recruitment Board exams from 2002 and 2010, with sentences handed down in 2025 and 2024 respectively. At least 925 people were charge-sheeted and 18 convicted across the cases, while 32 were acquitted. More than 3.86 crore aspirants faced delays averaging 183 days for retests. Two accused in a 2006 Railway Group-D leak are now MLAs in Uttar Pradesh. Few senior officials faced action. In recent cases such as the 2024 UGC NET and UPPSC exams, some chairpersons and controllers were removed or suspended, but many matters remain pending in courts. Investigators noted evolving leak methods from fax to remote software. The probe comes as the National Testing Agency prepares to re-conduct the NEET UG 2026 exam on June 21 following leaks that affected candidates across states.
