Maharashtra TET Postponed: SIT Probe Ordered After Paper Leak

In a significant move to uphold exam integrity, the Maharashtra government has postponed the 2026 Teacher Eligibility Test and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe an alleged paper leak.

MUMBAI — Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough probe into the alleged leak of the 2026 Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) question paper. The directive follows the sudden postponement of the examination, which was scheduled to be held on Sunday, June 28, 2026, across 1,028 centres in the state.

The SIT will be led by Thane Joint Commissioner of Police Panjabrao Ugale, according to an official announcement made by the Chief Minister’s office. The decision to escalate the investigation to a specialized team underscores the gravity of the situation, which has impacted the prospects of over 4.28 lakh registered candidates.

Discovery of the Leak

The breach was detected in Bhiwandi, Thane district, following a confidential tip-off received by local authorities. Police conducted a raid on a location in the Kongaon area, where they detained three suspects—identified as Rajiv Shah (45) and Akash Kumar (30) from Patna, Bihar, and Dheeraj Kumar (28) from Panipat, Haryana—who were allegedly in possession of the actual examination papers.

Officials from the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) were summoned to verify the seized material. Upon cross-referencing, it was confirmed that several questions in the recovered documents matched the official TET 2026 question paper.

"We laid a trap after receiving information that individuals were arriving in Bhiwandi to sell question papers," said Thane Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Dudhe. "Following verification, we registered a criminal case and constituted an SIT to ensure a comprehensive probe into the racket."

Official Action and Directives

In response to the incident, Chief Minister Fadnavis held urgent discussions with State School Education Minister Dada Bhuse and the Director General of Police, Sadanand Date. The Chief Minister has directed state authorities to ensure that no culprit is spared, regardless of their position or involvement in the organised racket.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the government's "zero tolerance" policy toward such offences. He hinted at the possibility of invoking stringent laws, including the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), to ensure that those responsible for compromising the examination process face the harshest possible penalties.

Impact on Candidates

The postponement, announced roughly 20 hours before the scheduled commencement of the test, has caused widespread frustration among the more than 600,000 applicants who had registered for the two papers.

The MSCE has confirmed that a fresh date for the examination will be announced on its official website in the coming days. In the meantime, authorities have urged candidates not to panic, stating that they will not be required to re-register for the exam. Candidates are advised to keep their existing hall tickets safe and monitor the official portal for further instructions regarding the rescheduling.

Why It Matters

This incident occurs amid heightened national anxiety regarding the security of competitive examinations, particularly following recent controversies surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 papers. The frequent recurrence of such leaks in Maharashtra has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who have accused the government of failing to protect the future of the state's youth. The SIT investigation is not only a search for the conspirators behind the Bhiwandi racket but also a test of the government's commitment to restoring faith in public recruitment systems.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Examination Postponed: The Maharashtra TET 2026, originally scheduled for June 28, has been delayed indefinitely.

• SIT Investigation: A Special Investigation Team headed by Thane JCP Panjabrao Ugale has been formed to probe the leak.

• Suspects Arrested: Three individuals have been taken into custody in Bhiwandi, Thane, following the seizure of actual TET question papers.

• Scale of Impact: The exam was to be held at 1,028 centres for over 4.28 lakh registered candidates.

• Potential Charges: The government is considering booking key conspirators under the stringent MCOCA.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new TET exam date be announced?

The MSCE has not yet provided a revised date. Candidates are advised to monitor the official website regularly for updates.

Do candidates need to re-register?

No, the council has confirmed that re-registration is not required for candidates who were already signed up for the June 28 test.

Are hall tickets already issued still valid?

The MSCE has not yet clarified if fresh admit cards will be issued; however, candidates are advised to keep their currently downloaded admit cards safe until further notice.

Is there a possibility of an exam pattern change?

As of now, there has been no announcement regarding changes to the examination pattern or syllabus.

Source: Hindustan Times, Deccan Herald, ANI News