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Amid growing concerns over exam integrity following the NEET controversy, a Tehelka SIT report exposes how paper leak networks, coaching centres and middlemen exploit student aspirations for profit.
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The 2026 NEET-UG controversy has emerged as a major paper leak scandal involving irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2026 examination, conducted by India’s National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam, held on May 3, 2026, for over 2.27 million aspirants seeking admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses, was cancelled on May 12 following investigations that revealed significant overlaps between a pre-circulated “guess paper” and the actual question paper. The probe led to the arrest of several people, including individuals linked to the NTA. By the time this story is published, the NEET re-examination scheduled for June 21, 2026, would have been completed.
The controversy triggered widespread outrage among students, parents and civil society, with anger spilling over from streets to social media platforms. In an unusual expression of protest, what began as a tongue-in-cheek swipe against remarks made by the Chief Justice of India has snowballed into a satirical political movement. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is not a registered political party but a caricature of one. Within days of its emergence, the CJP amassed over 20 million followers on Instagram. The group has also been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak.
An investigation published in the media on June 5 highlighted the near-zero accountability in India’s competitive examination system. Data spanning 24 years (2002-2026) revealed that out of 45 major paper leaks, each affecting over one lakh candidates, only two cases resulted in convictions. Of the 1,658 people arrested across these cases, only 18 were convicted.
Tehelka had earlier carried out an investigation into the paper leak mafia, where an alleged fixer confessed on camera that he could arrange leaks of any examination paper in India. With the NEET 2026 paper leak now under investigation, the findings of that investigation assume renewed significance. The person caught on Tehelka’s hidden camera years ago claiming to have access to leaked papers could potentially come under the radar of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the NEET-UG 2026 controversy. Tehelka is reproducing its investigation for the CBI to examine the revelations.
“I have the main mafia with me. Name any examination paper in India which we cannot leak. If you want, we can even leak the IAS paper for you. The rate for that will be Rs 3 crore. We will fix Prelims, Mains and Interview with a 100 per cent guarantee.”
These are the words of Rakesh Bhandari, a Delhi-based agent, who claimed to Tehelka’s undercover reporter that he could arrange any examination paper in India for money with a guaranteed outcome. Bhandari said that he maintained a low-profile lifestyle to evade agencies, adding that a high-profile life after making money through illegal activities could attract attention. According to him, his network was involved not only in arranging leaked papers but also in facilitating illegal foreign travel through the “donkey” route and securing foreign citizenship through unlawful means.
Bhandari also revealed what he described as the “business practices” followed by his network. He claimed that members of his group avoided sharing direct contact details with clients, communicated through code words and maintained a low profile. He also spoke about carrying women during certain deals, claiming this was a precautionary measure in case negotiations turned adverse.
Bhandari met a Tehelka undercover reporter at a five-star hotel in Delhi to ‘negotiate a deal’ for providing a leaked question paper of the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) for Rs 18 lakh per candidate. Under existing regulations, students who pursue medicine from foreign institutions must clear the FMGE, conducted twice a year by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), to obtain registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or State Medical Councils (SMCs) in order to legally practise medicine in India.
Bhandari claimed that he had a “setting” through which candidates could obtain the FMGE question paper two days before the examination. He assured the undercover reporter that the leaked paper would be available for Rs 18 lakh per candidate.
Little realising that he was speaking to a fictitious client, Bhandari offered to arrange the FMGE paper leak. He explained that the paper would be provided at a location chosen by him, where his associates would solve it for the candidates before the examination. He claimed that the question paper would be available with him several days before the exam and assured that it would match the actual paper. According to him, he usually charged Rs 20-25 lakh per candidate but would offer it to our undercover reporter — posing as a prospective client — for Rs 18 lakh.
Reporter- Ye bataiye kis tarekey se hoga; aapne 3 tareeke bataye they?
Bhandari- Ek tareka to wo jo best hai..paper wala.
Reporter- Paper leak hoga?
Bhandari- Haan..karwa dunga paper ko.
Reporter- Exam XX XX ko hai?
Bhandari- XX tareekh ko, raat ko chodh dunga usko.
Reporter- Paper leak kahan se hoga?
Bhandari- Leak kahan se ho raha hai, aa raha hai mere pass.
Reporter- Aapke pass aa raha hai..matlab exam se pehle aa raha hai, leak hi ho gaya na?
Bhandari- XX tareekh XX tareekh.
Reporter-XX-XX mein paper aa raha hai?
Reporter- XX-XX mein padega wo.
Bhandari- Dikha dunga, XX-XX mein padega wo.
Reporter- Solve kaun karwayega paper ladke ko?
Bhandari- Solve karwa kar dunga.
Reporter- Aapke pass hain bandey?
Bhandari- Hmm.
Reporter- Kya system rahega; bandey ka hisab kitab?
Bhandari- Waise to 20-25 lakh rupees leta hoon logon se, aapse to 18 mein baat hui hai…
Reporter- Haan last time 18 mein hui thi..
Bhandari- Is baar 100 percent hai..100 percent.
Reporter- Mainey ek ladke se milwaya bhi tha.
Bhandari- Is baar pakka hai..uska phone hona chahiye wahan par jahan par location hai, register karwaya ho.
[In the above chat, Bhandari explains how he could arrange the leaked paper before the examination date. The chat shows how paper leak deals are openly discussed with fixed rates and arrangements. It reveals a network where access to confidential exam material is treated like a business.]
Bhandari then revealed his modus operandi. He said he would pick up the students from a location decided by him and keep them with him on XX XX. For this arrangement, he would charge Rs 10,000 per student. On the evening of XX XX, after his associates solved the question paper for the candidates, he would release the students to appear for the FMGE exam on XX XX.
Reporter- Poora system samjha do kaise hoga bacchey ka?
Bhandari- Baccha aayega apne pass se..Aap mujhse bacchey ko milwaogey kahin, koi point rakhenge, jaise sha…XXX ho gaya, mein yahan se pick karunga.
Reporter- Bacchey ko yahan se pick karoge, jo bhi point aapko bataya jayega..
Bhandari- Point mein dunga aapko…kahan milna hai.
Reporter- Aap bataoge ya main bataonga?
Bhandari- Main hi bataonga…..aapke point par thodi aaunga main. Main aapko kahunga is point par aao…aap ke pass 10-12 bacchey hain…12 bacchey lekar aa jao..hamari gadiyan lagi hongi, hum pick up kara denge.
Bhandari (continues) – Aur jagah bhi rakhi hain hamne, uska 10,000 rupiya hoga.
Reporter- Delhi mein hi?
Bhandari- Kahin bhi ho aapko thodi bata denge, kahan par hain hum.
Reporter- Nahin, matlab jagah Delhi mein hi hogi?
Bhandari- Aas pass hi hogi.
Bhandari (continues)- Uska khana-rehna do din ka.
Reporter- Ladke ko do din?
Bhandari- Haan, matlab XX tareekh ko le liya usko, XX tareekh ko chodh denge usko..6-7 baje.
Reporter- Paper solve karwa ke?
Bhandari- Sab kuch karwa ke…
Bhandari (continues) – XX tareekh ko wo aapke pass rahega.
Reporter- Theek hai.
Bhandari- XX tareekh ko exam de dega..confirm ho jayega.
[In the dialogue above, Bhandari explains the entire arrangement for handling the candidates before the exam. The chat reveals a planned system where candidates are picked up, kept away and prepared with the leaked paper before the exam. It shows how such frauds operate with organised steps.]
Bhandari told us that the students would have to memorise the answers from the question paper that his associate would solve for them before the exam. He assured us that the paper provided by him would match the final question paper with 100 per cent accuracy.
Reporter- Aur wahi questions nahi aaye exam mein to…?
Bhandari- Ho hi nahi sakta.
Reporter- Guarantee?
Bhandari- Guarantee…phir itni mehnat kyun karunga mein?
[In the brief exchange above, Bhandari is questioned about the possibility of the leaked paper not matching the actual exam. The chat shows the confidence with which Bhandari claimed control over the leaked paper and its accuracy.]
Bhandari then asked us to collect the student’s foreign MBBS degree and marksheets, besides four post-dated cheques (PDCs) for the total amount, as a security measure before handing them over to him. The discussion also covers how the cheque amounts would be divided.
Bhandari- Documens le lo..
Reporter- Document main ky kya?
Bhandari- Degree aur transfer.
Reporter- Degree MBBS ki, jo usne videsh se ki hai?
Bhandari- Haan, aur marks card jo uska hota hai.
Reporter- Marksheet?
Bhandari- Haan, wo degree ke saath hi hoti hai, aur 4 cheque…baccha apne naam se dega.
Reporter- 4 cheques.. PDC ke kitne amount ke.?.
Bhandari- Jaise 20-22 lakh ki baat hui, to aap apne hisab se karlo na…
Reporter- Jaise 20 lakh ki baat hui to, 5-5 lakh ke…PDC wo aap ko dene honge…
[The chat shows that the arrangement involved not only the paper leak but also collecting documents and financial guarantees from candidates. It reveals how such illegal deals were structured like a formal transaction.]
According to Bhandari, payment would be collected from the students only after they cleared their exam. He again assured the Tehelka reporter that the students would definitely pass after receiving the leaked paper from him.
Reporter- Accha payment kab karni hogi ladke ko?
Bhandari- Result ke baad.
Reporter- Result kab aayega?
Bhandari- XX tareekh ka exam hai, to XX XX tak aayega result.
Reporter- XX XX ko result aa jayega, uske baad payment karna hai?
Bhandari- 48 ghante ke ander ander..
Reporter- Result aane ke 48 ghantey ke ander ander payment karna hai… 10-12 din koi payment nahi karna…?
Bhandari- Kyun karoge aap, usko to pata hoga mein pass hoon.
Reporter- Matlab XX ko usne exam de diye , XX ke baad 2 tareekh ko usko payment karna hai agar pass ho gaya to?
Bhandari- Wo to hoga hi hoga pass.
Reporter- Guarantee hai..?
Bhandari- Bhai Saheb usko wohi pakdaya hai (paper) jo aa raha hai…
[The chat reveals how Bhandari tried to assure the undercover reporter about the safety of the deal. His confidence appeared to be aimed at removing any doubts about the arrangement. The exchange shows how paper leak operators try to win trust by linking payment with success.]
After discussing the FMGE paper leak for the XX XX exam in detail, Bhandari spoke about another business he was involved in — arranging foreign citizenship for money. He connected the Tehelka reporter over phone with his associate, Naveen, whom he described as the right person for the job. Naveen explained that a Polish woman would come to India and marry an Indian seeking Polish citizenship. After marriage, they would travel to Poland and separate after a few months, allowing the man to obtain citizenship through what was described as a contract marriage. When informed about the discussion, Bhandari agreed that this was the right method for acquiring foreign citizenship. He added that the Polish woman’s travel expenses would be paid initially, while the remaining amount would be settled after the citizenship was obtained.
Reporter- Citizenship ki mein bata doon unhoney kya bataya hai, Naveen ji ne…jissey aapne phone par baat karwai hai, unhoney kaha hai ke jaise Poland ki hai, Poland ki citizenship chahiye, jahan English speaking ho…age bata di maine wo taiyar hai.
Bhandari- Age zyada hai.
Reporter- Nahi nahi dekhne mein 35 ka lagta hai wo…aap uski tension na lo, Naveen ji se baat ho gayi hai meri..wo keh rahe hain ladki aayegi Poland se shadi kar legi…nagrikta ke liye, uske baad wo ladki unko lekar wahan chali jayegi Poland, wahan divorce ho jayega..
Bhandari- 5 mahine…3-4 mahine mein mil jayega.
Reporter- Aur citizenship mil jayegi… ye hai.
Bhandari- Tareeka to wo hi hota hai na…wo genuine kaam kara kar dega..
Reporter- Iska bhi payment baad mein hoga?
Bhandari- Jo ladki aayegi uska kharcha kaun dega…wahan se flight pakad kar aayegi kharcha to aap dogey na… to India, rest of the money will be paid after the work.
[In the conversation above, Bhandari discusses another arrangement involving foreign citizenship. The chat reveals how citizenship was allegedly being treated as a paid arrangement through a planned marriage. It shows a wider pattern where illegal services are presented as routine deals.]
Bhandari later claimed to the Tehelka reporter that the entire paper leak mafia was with him. He said he was operating from Tashkent for this purpose. According to him, he could arrange the leak of papers for any examination in India, including civil services. When asked about the civil services rate, Bhandari said the paper leak would cost Rs 3 crore, covering the prelims, mains and interview stages. He also assured the Tehelka reporter that the FMGE paper would be leaked by him this year.
Reporter- Paper confirm ho raha hai leak is baar ka..2024 ?
Bhandari- Sir ji, koi bhi paper bologey na aap, koi bhi paper bologey, wo poora mafia hai mere saath….Tashkent mein aisey hi na thodi betha tha main..
Reporter- IAS ka?
Bhandari- Paisa bahut lagta hai usmein.
Reporter- Kitna?
Bhandari- 3 crore…de dogey?
Reporter- Civil services ka nikalwa do, dono ka ya ek ka?
Bhandari- Dono ka 100 percent, interview tak setting kara kar chalni padti hai, prelims to aram se nikal dega, main rehta hai interview tak setting…kaunsa cadre kar raha hai, is baar kaun sa aayega, wo yehi kaam to kartey hain saarey.
[In the chat, Bhandari makes sweeping claims about his reach in the paper leak network. The exchange shows him claiming access to a wider network beyond one examination, suggesting how such rackets allegedly operate across competitive tests. The lesson is that corruption of this scale can erode public trust in merit-based selection.]
Bhandari then spoke about another alleged illegal activity — the “Donkey” route. He claimed that he knew people who could help Indians reach foreign countries through this route. He says people are taken through multiple countries before reaching their final destination and mentions contacts who handle such arrangements. According to him, no work was impossible and every task could be managed through the right contacts. In the chat, Bhandari explains how the “Donkey” route allegedly works.
Reporter- Teesra batao… “Donkey” route?
Bhandari- Wohi karayega, bol diya tha mainey…par wo thoda sirdardi wala kaam hai…
Reporter- Accha bata to do?
Bhandari- Usmein kya hota hai ki…5-6 country ghoomaney padtey hain..
Reporter- Kaun- kaun se?
Bhandari- Wo bata dega aapko saare..
Reporter- Kaun batayega?
Bhandari- Naveen bhai, Naveen bhai ka hai ek aadmi…Zara Wala karta hai ye kaam. Wo to king hai, kingpin hai Zara Wala..
Reporter- Zara Wala kaun..?
Bhandari- Ye code words hotey hain.. is line mein code words mein baat hoti hai..naam se nahi hoti…aapka bhi code word hi hoga phir aagey.
Reporter- Theek hai.
Bhandari- Hamare ko to apna lena hai…agey bhej diya aapne, thoda se ye hota hai..jaise 20 aadmi aapne bhej diye, ek aadmi ka kabhi kabhi phas gaya maamla.
Reporter- Haan, wo to aapne bataya tha phone pe.
Bhandari- Tabhi to ye kaam hum thoda sa kam kartey hain.
Reporter- Kis- kis country ka ho sakta hai?
Bhandari- Jahan par bhi chahe.
Reporter- America, Canada?
Bhandari- USA ja sakta hai…
Reporter- USA?
Bhandari- Wahan par passport phek de, asylum le lenge..”mujko khatra hai ji”..
Reporter- Asylum le le, wo to London mein bhi ho jayega?
Bhandari- London mein bhi ho jayega..
Bhandari (continues)- Ek jhund jata hai ek ke baad, phir pakde jaatey hain…2-4 din, 5-7 din band rehtey hain..phir asylum mil jata hai.
Reporter- Ye ho jayega? Kyunki ismein bhi kuch log hain isliye mein pooch raha tha?
Bhandari- Bhai sahib ek baat batao, kaun sa kaam mushkil hai..?
[The chat shows Bhandari claiming access to networks that could arrange illegal migration through risky routes. It reflects how such activities are presented as manageable services. These claims reveal the dangers of organised immigration fraud.]
This, however, is not a one-off case of paper leak in India. In recent years, there have been several instances of malpractices in different examinations, ranging from school-level tests to recruitment exams. But this is the first time that someone has come on Tehelka’s spy camera and claimed that he could arrange a paper leak.
In the NEET-2026 paper leak case, several individuals linked to coaching centres were arrested by the CBI for allegedly operating as part of an organised syndicate. While the debate has largely centred around holding coaching institutes accountable for creating a toxic, high-pressure environment that drives some students to suicide, the Tehelka investigation now shifts focus from paper leaks to India’s coaching industry.
Coaching centres have come under scrutiny for allegedly putting students’ lives at risk. In 2024, after three IAS aspirants drowned in the basement of a coaching institute in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi, the Supreme Court described coaching centres as “death chambers” while hearing the matter. Taking suo motu cognisance, a bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan called the incident an eye-opener and questioned the safety standards followed by such institutes. The court observed that these centres cater to students arriving from across the country with dreams and aspirations, but warned against compromising their safety.
“Government officers come for surprise checking around 11 am, 12.30 pm or maximum by 1.30 pm. After that, they don’t come for checking. So I will admit minor students below 16 years of age in my coaching centre and conduct their classes at 3 pm, when no government officers are expected to come for inspection. Once, a few government officials came for checking, but I bribed them to avoid any action against my centre,” said Prashant (who goes by his first name), owner of multiple coaching centres under the name Eklavya in Delhi-NCR, to Tehelka’s undercover reporter.
Tehelka’s undercover reporter met Prashant at Eklavya’s Sector 15, Noida branch with a fictitious proposal to admit his friends’ children, who were below 16 years of age, for NEET preparation. Prashant agreed to enrol them despite Ministry of Education guidelines prohibiting coaching institutes from admitting students below 16 years across India. These guidelines were issued following complaints about rising student suicides, fire incidents, lack of facilities and teaching practices followed by coaching centres.
After the Central government issued guidelines, coaching centres cannot enrol students below 16 years of age, make misleading promises or guarantee ranks and marks. The guidelines aim to create a legal framework and address the unchecked growth of private coaching centres. Following these norms, Tehelka conducted an investigation to examine whether coaching institutes were complying with the regulations. The findings showed that none of the coaching centres approached during the investigation appeared to follow the government guidelines and were openly violating the prescribed norms.
Prashant was not only caught violating government guidelines but went on to explain how he allegedly bypassed authorities during the Covid lockdown to continue running his coaching centre. “During Covid lockdown, I was secretly running my coaching centre. I posted one man at the gate to inform me if any policeman came. I switched off all the lights to make it appear that the centre was shut, but I continued taking classes inside. I asked students to come with only a copy and pen, not bags. This is how I avoided the authorities during Covid lockdown,” Prashant told Tehelka.
The tragic incident at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, in 2024, where three UPSC aspirants died due to flooding, could have been avoided if authorities had acted on safety violations reported at several institutes. Following the incident, reports emerged that many unregulated coaching centres in Noida and Gurugram were under scrutiny. More than 300 coaching centres in Gurugram were reported to be operating without mandatory fire department NOCs.
To see if the government guidelines were being adhered to by the coaching centres, Tehelka approached Prashant at his Eklavya coaching centre in Sector 15, Noida. A fictitious proposal was given that children of our friends, all below 16 years of age, wanted to enrol for NEET preparation. Prashant agreed to admit them, despite government guidelines clearly prohibiting coaching centres from enrolling students below 16 years.
Reporter- Theek hai, kyunki unko thoda ye tha ke guidelines aayi hain na..
Prashant- Kitne students hain?
Reporter- Kam se kam 8-10 mil jayenge..
Prashant- Le aaiye, visit kara dijiye..
Reporter- Dikha deta hoon bacchon ko bhi, parents ko bhi, hain sab 14-15 saal ke..
Prashant- Kaho to mein apne teachers se kahun counseling kar aaye..aise koi jagah hai jahan saare parents beth jaaye?
Reporter- Nahi aisi to nahi hai..kaho to park mein?
Prashant- Haan park bhi chalega. Hum khade hokar speech de saktey hain..
Reporter- Thoda sa wo yahi soch rahe they, jab se sarkar ki guidelines aayi hain na 16 saal se kam age ke coaching centre mein nahi le saktey….kahin aisa na ho dikkat pareshani ho jaaye..ye hai..
Prashant- Teen baje ke baad hum kar saktey aap unko bata dijiye, aware kar dijiye..
Reporter- Confirm kar doon?
Prashant- Ek dum..kar dijiye, sir.
[The chat shows how a coaching operator allegedly agreed to bypass rules meant to protect young students. It reveals that regulations remain ineffective if institutes find ways around them.]
After Prashant agreed to enrol children below 16 years of age, he told us about his plan to manage such students at his centre. He says he would check with his contacts but then suggests holding classes after 3 pm. According to him, government officials usually conduct surprise visits to his centre before 2 pm. To avoid them, he said he would hold such classes at 3 pm.
Reporter- Accha hamarey society mein kai bacche hain jinko NEET aur JEE ki coaching chahiye.. par hain wo 9th mein, age hain unki kam, 15 saal ke.. 9th ke hain….16 saal se kam, to kaise karoge phir aap?
Prashant- Ek baar pooch leta hoon XXXXXX sir se..
Reporter- XXXXXX kaun ?
Prashant- XXXXX sir authority mein XXXXX hain…wo keh rahe they, aisa hoga to mere ko batana..baat kar lunga yahan Noida authority mein hain..ho sakta hai.
Reporter- Theek.
Prashant- School se baccha kai baje aata hai?
Reporter- School se aata hai 1-1.5 pm.
Prashant- To hum 3 baje ke baad hi class kar sakte hain..
Reporter- Theek hai, 3 pm ke baad rakh lenge..
Prashant- Rakh lenge..kyunki 3 baje tak generally saare officers ghoom kar chale jaatey hain..visit jo hoti hain na officer ki wo 11 baje, 12 baje, mostly zyada se zyada 1.30 pm se pehle.
Reporter- Accha.
Tehelka investigation shows rules meant to protect young students are routinely bypassed by coaching centre operators. — AI-generated Image
Reporter- Iska matlab sham ko nahi aatey, sham ko koi darr nahi hai?
Prashant- Darr nahi hai.
Reporter- OK, sham ko rakhtey hain, 3 baje ke baad.
Prashant- Done, sir.
Reporter- Final karun?
Prashant- Haan, sir.
[The chat shows how Prashant planned to bypass age restrictions by changing the timing of classes. It reflects how rules can be weakened when enforcement is predictable. It emerges that regulations need strict and regular monitoring.]
In the dialogue below, Prashant explains the officials who visit his centre for checking. When asked about the inspection process, he says the visits are conducted by the Basic Education Officer. He also explains the hierarchy, mentioning the role of the District Education Officer.
Prashant- Aur mera ek room khali bhi rehta hai abhi.. 4 baje se poori class khali hai..
Reporter- Ye check karne wale kahan se aatey hain?
Prashant- Sir ye BO se aatey hain..
Reporter- BO matlab ?
Prashant- Basic Education officer..ye block level par hota hai, aur DO usko order deta hai.. District Education Officer..DO
[The chat reveals how inspections at coaching centres are carried out and who is responsible for them. It also shows the importance of effective checks on the ground. However, it is clear that regulations work only when monitoring is consistent.]
In the following chat, Prashant narrates a surprise inspection in the past at his coaching centre by education officials and police personnel. He says the officials did not initially reveal their identity and questioned him about registrations and operations. He claims that he later recognised the official and paid money to manage the matter.
Reporter- Wo aa chuke hain yahan aapke institution mein?
Prashant- Haan ek baar aaye they, BO aur 2 police officers.
Reporter- Aajkal bachon ko dekhkar age hi pata nahi chalti, baccho ki physique hi aisi hai..sab bacchey nahi lagte..
Prashant- Jab aaye to mujhe bataya nahi, jaise aap kaise parents banke aaye ho, parents hi ho…hahaha….wo parents banke aaye they.
Prashant (continues)- Haan asal mein teeno bande, ek yahan baithey aur do yahan sofe par..acha baad mein bataya “mein basic education ka adhikari hoon”…bahut baad mein bataya, poora jayza le liya mere se..wo to acha hua maine bataya nahi mein padahta bhi hoon school ka ye 9th, 10th ke bacchon ko.
Reporter- Aapne nahi bataya?
Prashant- Haan, nahi bataya.
Prashant- Boley aap padhatey ho?..maine kahan nahi sir..phir bole aap registration dikhaiye, maine bola as a parent aap registration kaise dekh saktey ho, aap mere website par jao. Sara usmein diya hua hai aap dekho sir.
Prashant- Accha bataiye, aapne MCR mein register karaya hai…?
Prashant (continues)- Maine kaha maine local authority mein karaya hua hai, aur MCR ke liye file diya hua hai, sir.
Prashant (continues)- Wahan bhi sir ho jayegi maine CA se baat kar li hai, bole local authority mein karaya hai. Maine kaha karaya hai sir. Maine kahan local authority to chodo, maine bharat sarkar ka Ati Suksham Laghu Udyog hota hai, usmein bhi karaya hai. Boley acha dikhaiye uski copy. Drawer khola, nikala, dikha diya.
Prashant (continues)- Accha, course ka kuch pooch hi nahi raha hai, jaise aap pooch rahe ho, mein bhi sochu, banda course nahi pooch raha hai, ool julool pooch raha hai. Ye nahi karaya, wo nahi.. idhar udhar ka pooch raha hai.
Reporter- Aapko doubt nahi hua ?
Prashant- Mere ko doubt hua.
Reporter- Ye bhi to paise ugai ke sadhan hai?
Prashant- Phir doubt tab hua jab doosra jo hai na coaching wala “Career Launcher,” uska phone aaya mere pass, hum log ki coaching ki ek team hai, meeting hoti hai na hamari meeting Saturday, Sunday, ya to saptah mein ek din ya 15 din mein. Hum log aapas mein miltey hain ek jagah coaching sanchalak hotey hain.
Prashant (continues)- Unka phone aaya, “Prashant sir, wo check karne wala aapke yahan aaya kya.” Maine poocha, “Kaun, kitne bande hain,” “ke sir teen bande hain, do sir principal aur ek sir check shirt mein, peela peela shirt mein wo hain BSO sahab.” Wahi they.
Prashant- Maine kahan, “Sir, BSO sab, aapko jo jo poochana hai direct poocho.”…. “Mein sir pehchan gaya aapko.”
Reporter- Ab to chehra pehchan gaye aap, ab to aa hi nahi sakta koi.
Prashant- Maine kaha aapko maine pehchan liya, ab batao, kya logey.. chai, coffee?
Prashant (continues)- Wo sir kuch nahi, mein baat kar lunga, usko sir paisa bhi to diya tha.
Reporter- Kisko diya?
Prashant- BSO ko, kuch de diya maine manage karne ko.
Reporter- Maine yahi to bola aapko, ye sadhan hain paisa ugai ke.
Prashant- Haan.
[The chat shows Prashant describing how an inspection was handled and claiming that money was paid to avoid action. It reveals how enforcement can fail when officials and operators find ways to bypass rules. The lesson is that accountability must be strengthened at every level.]
Prashant told the Tehelka reporter that to avoid government officials spotting students below 16 years of age during surprise visits, he would conduct their classes in the last cabin of his centre, where they would not be easily noticed. He suggests that keeping them away from the main area would help avoid attention during inspections.
Reporter- 9th, 10th ki classes aap kaise karate ho?
Prashant- Classes sir ander hoti hain, last cabin mein, agar 9th ka baccha hoga uska class alag lunga, 10th ka hoga uska alag lunga,ek saath merge nahi kiya jayega.
Reporter- Haan to 9th, 10th ki age hogi, 15-16 saal.
Prashant- Haan, usko alag alag class mein karwaiyenge.
Reporter- To aap 9th, 10th ki yahi karatey hain class.
Prashant- Haan ander hai, thora theek rahega…
[In the chat, Prashant explained how he would manage classes for students of Classes 9 and 10. He describes a method to keep younger students away from attention during inspections. It highlights how rules can be bypassed through deliberate arrangements. It is evident that compliance needs active monitoring, not just written guidelines.]
Prashant revealed to Tehelka that he had not only violated government guidelines by enrolling students below 16 years of age, but had also flouted restrictions during the Covid lockdown. He claimed that he continued conducting classes at his centre by switching off the lights and placing an employee at the gate to alert him about any approaching police personnel.
Prashant- Corona mein 3 baar check karne aaya ..mein dheeth hoon, ander se band karke padha raha tha bacchon ko.
Reporter- Corona mein?
Prashant- ji sir, wo bade wala room mein….matlab yahan par sab light off kar diye..ek office boy.. ladka…uper rakh diya maine..maine bola siren bajta dekhe to mujhe bolna aakar..
Prashant- Mein baccho ko bolta tha, ek copy lekar aana, koi bag wag nahi…copy baccha lata tha, ladke bhi ladkiyan bhi, khali ek copy..wo bhi chupa ke.. shaq na ho…
[In the chat above, Prashant is heard describing how he allegedly continued operating during the lockdown by avoiding attention from authorities. It reflects a willingness to bypass official restrictions. It emerges that rules fail when they are deliberately undermined.]
Prashant then spoke about the reasons behind student suicides in Kota. He said long classroom hours, pressure from parents and the demand for better results put immense mental pressure on students. According to him, teachers also push students because they are under pressure to deliver results.
Reporter- Kota mein itna dabav kyun bana detey hain baccho par.?
Prashant- Sir, 4 ghantey kaun class leta hai, lagataar 4-4.30 ghante.. 4 ghanta, 5 ghanta, parents ka uper se bhi dabav rehta hai…”Is baar test mein acche number nahi laya na, main bataunga abhi”…aur teacher bhi dabav mein..teacher isliye dabav karta hai, teacher ko result chahiye….baccho par mentally pressure aa jata hai….suicide karega, kya kare!
Prashant- Ab mein is ladki ko baar baar bolun arey tu fail hogi, fail hogi….mein isliye betha hoon kya? Meiin to kahunga na aap acha karogey, bahut accha karogey, is tarah se bolunga .. is liye hum apne book mein likhtey hain personal mentorship..personal level par bhi guidance detey rehte hain.
[The chat highlights the intense pressure students face in competitive coaching systems. It shows how long hours and constant expectations can affect young minds. It serves as a reminder that academic achievement must not come at the cost of students’ mental well-being.]
Prashant then disclosed the fee structure for admitting a minor student for NEET coaching. He quoted Rs 82,000 for a one-year course and, after offering a discount, reduced the final amount to Rs 71,500.
Reporter- Charges kitna hoga, sir?
Prashant- Charges sir ek baar mein baat kar leta hoon apne faculty se, kyunki wo percentage base par hamare yahan kaam kartey hain.
Reporter- Phir bhi ek idea, tentative?
Prashant- Sir 2 minute ka samay dijiye, pooch leta hoon…..sir. baccha 9th se 10th mein jayega?
Reporter- Haan, sir.
Prashant- Ismein sir ye hi hai..82thousand letey hain..82K per year..
Reporter- Accha 82K..iski zyada hai?
Prashant- Bata raha hoon, kaise zyada hai.. aur abhi, sir hum uska le lenge 71, 500 mein..discount de rahe hain.
Reporter- To 72K mein bol doon?
Prashant- Haan, yearly.. Rs 71,500.. uper neeche hum dekh lenge.
Reporter- Done kar doon phir?
Prashant- Haan kar dijiye….dekh lenge. Abhi chemistry wale ko bhi bula lenge..physics wale ki class chal rahi hai.
Reporter- Aapke coaching centre mein koi dikkat to nahi hogi ?
Prashant-Nahi, koi dikkat nahi hai.
Prashant (continues)- 3.30pm baje ke baad, kabhi bhi usko la saktey hain..
[Here, Prashant discussed fees and admission arrangements for a student below the permitted age. It reflects how such admissions were allegedly treated as routine matters. The episode underlines that rules need stronger enforcement to protect students.]
It is a matter of serious concern that many students in Kota preparing for NEET-JEE have died by suicide so far. Authorities are urgently trying to address the mental health issues faced by students in the high-pressure academic environment of coaching centres.
On July 27, 2024, three students allegedly died and several others were trapped after a nearby drain burst, leading to flooding in the basement of a UPSC coaching institute in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. Many students also held protests and raised slogans against the authorities outside the coaching centre over the deaths in the basement.
To regulate coaching centres in the country, the Ministry of Education brought guidelines in January 2024, which prohibit the intake of students below 16 years of age in any coaching centre across the country. But Tehelka’s investigation exposed coaching centres caught on camera blatantly violating these government guidelines, that too while operating in the country’s capital, Delhi. One can imagine the situation of coaching centres in cities like Kota, situated more than 500 km away from Delhi.
The tragic deaths at Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi, and several suicides in Kota over the years have made headlines in the national media. The government brought guidelines to curb these issues, but coaching centres and authorities appear unwilling to learn from past mistakes.
The Supreme Court described these coaching centres as “death chambers” in 2024, while the 2026 NEET paper leak emerged as an episode that traumatised entire families. The question remains whether Tehelka’s investigation into coaching centres and the paper leak mafia will force the government to take stricter action against such practices. The real test lies in ensuring that regulations translate into action on the ground.
