A suspected proxy racket during the NEET-UG retest in Bihar's Lakhisarai district has once again raised concerns about the security of one of India's most important entrance examinations. Bihar Police have uncovered an alleged network involving impersonators, candidates, medical students and employees linked to the biometric verification process.
According to reports, at least 24 people have been arrested, while some media reports suggest that police action could involve nearly 30 individuals connected to the case.
Proxy Candidates Allegedly Used in NEET Retest
Investigators believe the racket arranged trained "solvers" to appear for the examination on behalf of registered candidates. The alleged fraud came to light after suspicious activities were detected at multiple examination centres in Lakhisarai.
Several suspected impersonators were reportedly identified during verification checks, with investigators examining cases involving biometric mismatches and possible identity manipulation.
Authorities are now probing whether individuals associated with the verification process helped the accused bypass security protocols at exam centres. The alleged involvement of biometric company employees has intensified concerns, as biometric systems are designed to prevent impersonation and ensure the integrity of national-level examinations.
Medical Students and Exam Staff Under Investigation
The investigation reportedly began after Mayank Kashyap, a third-year MBBS student at Patna Medical College and Hospital, was allegedly caught entering the Hasanpur High School examination centre while posing as a biometric company employee. His detention prompted police to conduct searches at other centres across Lakhisarai, leading to additional arrests and detentions.
Police are also examining the alleged role of Arpit Raj, a medical student from ANM Medical College and Hospital in Gaya, who is suspected to be one of the key figures in the network. Raj had previously come under scrutiny in connection with the 2024 NEET paper leak investigation.
Among those questioned or detained are students from medical and nursing institutions. A nursing student from Banaras Hindu University was allegedly caught appearing for another candidate, while individuals linked to AIIMS Rae Bareli, Shahdara Medical College in Delhi and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital have also come under the scanner.
Investigation Expands
The case has raised fresh questions about how some students allegedly left their campuses despite monitoring measures during the examination period. Investigators found that a few accused were absent from their institutions, with one student reportedly leaving campus after citing illness.
Bihar Police are now working to identify the full extent of the network, determine whether additional candidates used proxy solvers, and establish how biometric safeguards were allegedly circumvented.
The incident is expected to increase pressure on authorities to strengthen identity verification systems, tighten monitoring at examination centres and introduce stricter safeguards to prevent future cases of exam impersonation and fraud.
