Maharashtra TET 2026 postponed after Thane question paper leak; 3 held, SIT formed
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks out after over six lakh candidates get affected by the leak. Will the SIT uncover a wider interstate network?
In yet another case of an alleged question paper leak on the eve of the examination, the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 has been postponed indefinitely. The exam was scheduled for Sunday (June 28). Three persons were arrested in connection with the leak that allegedly occurred in the state's Thane district.
More than six lakh candidates were set to appear for the examination in more than 1,000 centres across Maharashtra.
Also read: NEET re-exam 2026: Leak crisis exposes deeper flaws in India’s exam system
The Maharashtra government has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
Cops swing into action after getting lead
Police in Bhiwandi in Thane district received a tip-off on Saturday (June 27) morning about an alleged attempt to sell the TET question paper. They laid a trap soon after in the Kongaon area and detained the three men, who were identified as Rajiv Shah, Akash Kumar and Dheeraj Kumar.
Police also recovered mobile phones, debit cards, credit cards, cash, and four physical copies of the TET question paper meant for the following day's examination. Officials from the Maharashtra State Council of Examinations verified that the seized papers matched the original examination papers.
Exam postponed
Priya Shinde, deputy commissioner of the MSCE, said, "The exam was scheduled for tomorrow, June 28. We have postponed it due to the incident that occurred in Thane. The investigation is ongoing. There is no need to panic. Students should continue their studies. They do not need to register again either."
The council also clarified that candidates will not have to submit a fresh application or pay another examination fee when the test is rescheduled.
India's endless paper leaks
The Maharashtra TET incident comes amid growing concerns over repeated examination paper leaks across India.
Earlier this year, the NEET-UG examination also faced controversy over an alleged paper leak. In 2024, the NEET-UG paper leak had triggered nationwide protests, legal challenges and intense political debate. The UGC-NET examination in 2024 was also cancelled shortly after it was conducted following allegations of irregularities.
Also read: Maharashtra TET paper leak: Dipke renews attack on govt; Wangchuk to begin fast
The MSCE had introduced additional security measures for TET after this year's NEET-UG controversy. However, the latest incident has once again raised questions about the effectiveness of examination safeguards.
SIT probe
The investigation is now expected to examine whether the alleged paper leak is linked to a larger interstate network operating across multiple states.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the incident, calling India's education and examination system a "system of extortion" and describing repeated paper leaks as a theft of young people's future.
Also read: NTA dismisses video claiming paper leak as 'fake', says NEET re-exam successfully held
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered the formation of the SIT headed by Thane Joint Commissioner of Police Panjabrao Ugale to conduct a detailed probe and ensure strict action against those responsible.
Candidates wait
For more than six lakh aspirants, the postponement has brought uncertainty after months of preparation. Many candidates had already made travel arrangements and taken leave from work ahead of the examination.
The MSCE has not yet announced a fresh examination date, saying a revised schedule will be issued after the investigation progresses.
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