Shocking revelation in Re-NEET 2026! An 18-year-old student was caught red-handed while copying from Google by hiding his phone in the washroom flush tank in Hyderabad. Case registered against the accused.
Hyderabad: On one hand, the government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) had prepared security measures for the country’s biggest and sensitive medical entrance examination i.e. NEET-UG, while on the other hand, such a shocking story of fraud has come to light from an examination center in Hyderabad which has shocked the security agencies. An 18-year-old student from Achampet has been detained while cheating ‘red handed’ inside the washroom during the Re-NEET 2026 exam. This entire incident was plotted like a thriller film.
That ‘secret mission’ of 7 in the morning: entry from the compound wall
According to the detailed investigation of Hyderabad Police, the accused student had started carrying out his dreadful conspiracy several hours before the commencement of the examination. At around 7 am on Sunday morning, when there was no one at the examination centre, the student reached Zilla Parishad High School, Raganaguda, located in the area of Adibatala police station. Taking advantage of the ventilator in the washroom adjacent to the compound wall of the school, he somehow managed to reach the window. He very cleverly hid his mobile phone inside that ventilator so that it could not be caught during the security checking.
Twice intensive search…and that ‘masterplan’ of flush tank
The police security teams, maintaining full alertness, carried out strict checking of the examination premises twice – once at 6 am and second time at 11 am. There were metal detectors and intensive frisking of every candidate at the entry gate. But the real drama happened at 11 am, when the accused student entered inside the examination centre. He ran straight to the restroom and took out the phone from the ventilator and packed it in a zip-lock cover. After this he hid the phone in water inside the washroom flush tank. Police admitted that during the initial investigation this phone, hidden inside the flush tank, had escaped their notice.
“Sir, I have a lot of pain in my stomach…” and suspense in the washroom.
Shortly after the examination began, the accused suddenly pretended to have severe pain in his stomach. He pretended to be in pain in front of the invigilator and asked for permission to go to the restroom. Since the washroom was at a considerable distance from the main school building, the student was allowed to go there. As per the strategy, the student went inside the washroom, took out the phone from the flush tank and started searching answers to the exam questions on Google.
When the student did not return for a long time… then the secret of ‘Google’ was revealed
When a long time passed since the student went to the washroom and he did not return to his seat, the invigilator suspected something was wrong. He immediately sent some other school staff to the washroom to ascertain the situation. As soon as the employees knocked on the door of the washroom and looked inside, the ground slipped beneath their feet. At that time, the accused student was searching for answers to questions by opening Google on the mobile screen red-handed. Soon after, emergency information was given to the police, who reached the spot, confiscated the mobile phone and took the student into custody.
Game of Instagram and Google: Now students will be measured under new strict law
Forensic and detailed examination of the mobile by the police revealed that the student was only using Google to find answers to the questions. Apart from Instagram, no other paper leak or suspicious app like Telegram was found on his device. During interrogation, the accused confessed to his crime. Following an official complaint by the school administration, the Hyderabad Police has registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS) and the country’s most stringent Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which can see the accused facing jail along with heavy fine.
Will questions be raised again on the security of Re-NEET?
This incident has come to light at a time when NTA is continuously claiming that Re-NEET 2026 was conducted in a completely safe and fair manner. Lakhs of students across the country took the exams under strict surveillance, but this incident in Hyderabad shows that attempts to cheat through technology still remain a big challenge. On the complaint of the school administration, the police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS) and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Now the investigating agencies are trying to find out whether the student was working alone or whether a big network was also active behind it. This question is making this whole matter more mysterious.
What security measures were taken for the Re-NEET exam?
The Union Home Secretary reviewed the preparedness of states for the Re-NEET exam and stressed on stringent safety protocols. Officials from various departments including the Defense Ministry were involved to ensure the safety and convenience of the students. Special measures included transportation of the NEET paper through the Indian Air Force and isolation of those setting the paper to prevent paper leaks. The purpose of this comprehensive review was to ensure the smooth functioning of the examination process amid ongoing concerns over the fairness of the examination.
How did NTA deal with fake claims of NEET paper leak?
National Testing Agency (NTA) launched a dedicated reporting platform for candidates to report any suspicious claims related to NEET UG 2026. He clarified that no person or institution had access to the question paper before the examination. NTA also warned against organized copying rackets taking advantage of students’ anxiety and confirmed that all social media claims of the leak were false. The aim of this initiative was to maintain the fairness of the examination process.
What recent incidents of cheating have come to light during Re-NEET?
Apart from the 18-year-old student caught with the mobile phone, another incident involved a candidate who was allegedly shown the NEET question paper over video call. The caller demanded Rs 30,000 for the leaked paper, raising questions on the fairness of the examination process. These incidents highlight the challenges related to cheating and exam security during Re-NEET. Police said that around 11 am, he went to the restroom to put the phone in a zip-lock cover and hide it in the flush tank.