Quick summary: The Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026, scheduled for June 28, was postponed after police uncovered a question paper leak in Thane’s Bhiwandi. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, three people have been arrested, and the Opposition has launched a sharp attack on the state government over recurring exam scams.
Maharashtra TET 2026 Postponed After Paper Leak
The Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 was postponed on Saturday, just a day before it was due to be held, after police in Thane district found that part of the question paper had leaked. The Maharashtra TET 2026 paper leak has triggered a fresh political storm, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordering a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and the Opposition accusing the BJP-led government of failing to protect the futures of lakhs of students.
The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) was scheduled to conduct the TET on June 28 across 1,028 centres in the state, with nearly six lakh candidates registered.
How the TET 2026 Paper Leak Came to Light
The exam was called off after the Bhiwandi police, acting on a confidential tip-off, intercepted a group allegedly attempting to sell leaked question papers.
According to the police, Pawan Bansod, DCP (Zone-2), received intelligence on June 27 that certain individuals were arriving in Bhiwandi to sell question papers intended for the next day’s exam. A trap was laid, and three suspects were detained in the Kongaon area. On searching them, police recovered mobile phones, debit and credit cards, cash, and four copies of the TET question paper meant for the June 28 examination.
The three arrested persons are originally from Bihar and Haryana. Police said they had busted an “interstate syndicate,” and Education Department officials later confirmed the seized papers were authentic, matching the original question paper.
SIT Probe and FIR: What Action Has Been Taken
A case has been registered at the Kongaon police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and other applicable laws.
CM Fadnavis spoke to School Education Minister Dada Bhuse and Director General of Police Sadanand Date, directing that the strictest action be taken against those responsible. A Special Investigation Team has been constituted — reported under Thane Joint Commissioner of Police Panjabrao Ugale, with DCP Pawan Bansod leading the probe — and multiple teams have been dispatched to other states to trace the source of the leak.
In its public notice, the MSCE said it had implemented additional security measures following the irregularities reported during NEET 2026, but acted swiftly after confidential information surfaced on Saturday morning. A revised TET 2026 examination schedule will be announced on the Council’s official website.
Opposition Slams Government Over Recurring Paper Leaks
The Maharashtra TET paper leak quickly became a flashpoint between the ruling alliance and the Opposition.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the youth had once again been “deceived,” listing NEET, CBSE, SSC, CUET and now TET, and urged students to mobilise against repeated exam scams. Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan demanded accountability and questioned whether the Education Minister should resign on ethical grounds.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray alleged that repeated paper leaks reflected the government’s failure and called for a focus on securing examinations rather than political battles. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar drew parallels with the Centre’s handling of the NEET controversy and warned of serious consequences if strict action was not taken.
State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal noted that the leak occurred in Thane, asking who was providing “political protection” to the racket and demanding action against those responsible.
When Will the Maharashtra TET 2026 Be Held Again?
The MSCE has not yet announced a new date. Candidates have been advised to monitor the Council’s official website for the revised TET 2026 examination schedule. With nearly six lakh aspiring teachers affected, the postponement has created renewed uncertainty over when — and how securely — the test will finally be conducted.
Why the TET 2026 Leak Matters
Coming close on the heels of the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, the Maharashtra TET 2026 paper leak has reignited public anger over the integrity of competitive examinations in India. The SIT’s findings, and whether the interstate syndicate is fully dismantled, will be closely watched in the days ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why was the Maharashtra TET 2026 postponed? The exam was postponed after Bhiwandi police discovered a leaked question paper a day before the June 28 test, with several questions matching the original paper.
How many candidates were affected by the TET 2026 postponement? Nearly six lakh candidates registered for the exam, which was to be held across 1,028 centres in Maharashtra.
Who has been arrested in the TET 2026 paper leak case? Three individuals, originally from Bihar and Haryana, were arrested in Bhiwandi for allegedly trying to sell leaked papers as part of an interstate syndicate.
What action has the Maharashtra government taken? CM Devendra Fadnavis ordered an SIT probe, an FIR was filed at Kongaon police station, and teams were sent to other states to trace the source of the leak.
When will the TET 2026 be held now? A revised date will be announced by the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) on its official website.
