NEET Retest Cheating Scam Busted in Bihar: 24 Arrested as Proxy ‘Solver’ Network Exposed
A major cheating network operating during the NEET-UG retest in Bihar has been exposed, with police arresting 24 individuals, including medical students, nursing candidates and biometric verification employees allegedly involved in arranging proxy candidates for the examination.
According to investigators, the gang facilitated “solvers” who appeared in place of actual aspirants during the high-stakes medical entrance exam conducted after the original NEET was cancelled over paper leak allegations.
Police said the network involved students from several reputed institutions, including a third-year MBBS student from Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), a student linked to Gaya-based ANM Medical College suspected to be a key operator, as well as candidates from Banaras Hindu University and AIIMS Raebareli.
Authorities have also arrested 14 employees of a private biometric verification agency responsible for identity checks at examination centres. Officials believe some staff members either enabled impersonation or failed to properly verify candidates, allowing the racket to function during the exam.
The scam was uncovered after an individual posing as a biometric staff member was caught at an examination centre in Hasanpur in Lakhisarai district. This triggered coordinated raids at multiple centres, including KRK Higher Secondary School and Kendriya Vidyalaya, leading to several arrests of candidates and intermediaries linked to the operation.
Police have identified a medical student from Gaya as a suspected mastermind in the case. He had earlier been questioned by the CBI in connection with the NEET paper leak case in 2024, raising concerns about repeated involvement in examination fraud networks.
The probe has also revealed that several accused students allegedly violated strict instructions issued by medical institutions to remain on campus during the examination period. Some reportedly left under the pretext of illness before allegedly participating in the proxy arrangement.
Investigators are now working to map the full extent of the network, including financial transactions, recruitment of solvers and possible links to other examination centres. Officials said the case points to a highly organised system designed to manipulate one of India’s most competitive entrance examinations.
