The Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026, scheduled to be held on June 28, has been postponed following an alleged question paper leak. The decision came after police arrested three individuals in Thane district and launched an investigation into what is suspected to be an interstate examination fraud network.

Three Arrested During Thane Operation

Police detained three suspects during a planned operation in the Kongaon area of Thane after receiving intelligence about an attempt to sell confidential TET examination papers. During the raid, officers recovered four sets of alleged question papers along with multiple debit and credit cards.

The arrested individuals are 45, 30 and 28 years old. According to investigators, all three had travelled from Delhi. One of the accused is a resident of Haryana, while the other two belong to Bihar. Authorities have registered a case against them under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Probe Suggests Interstate Connection

Preliminary findings indicate that the recovered examination papers may have been brought from Delhi. Investigators are also examining claims that the leaked papers were allegedly being offered for approximately Rs. 1.5 crore. Police are now trying to identify the intended buyers and determine where the papers were meant to be distributed.

Officials confirmed that the suspected mastermind behind the operation remains absconding, and search efforts are continuing to locate the individual.

Special Investigation Team Formed

Police suspect the involvement of a larger organised network operating across multiple states. To speed up the investigation, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising two Assistant Commissioners of Police and nine Police Inspectors has been constituted. The team is expected to travel to different states as part of the ongoing probe.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) has initiated a parallel inquiry to assess the extent of the alleged security breach.

Examination Postponed

The MSCE has postponed the Maharashtra TET 2026 examination after documents believed to be connected with the test were recovered during the police operation. Officials are currently verifying whether the seized papers are authentic examination documents or practice material before making further decisions.

The Council stated that maintaining the credibility and fairness of the examination process remains its primary focus. Candidates have been advised to rely only on official notifications and avoid unverified information circulating online.

Fresh Schedule to Be Announced

The examination authority has clarified that registered candidates will not need to submit fresh applications or pay additional examination fees when the test is rescheduled. A revised examination date will be announced after the investigation is completed and all necessary assessments are concluded.

Officials have also indicated that conducting an examination of this scale generally requires around three weeks of preparation once the process resumes.