NEW DELHI — The national testing agency's stated commitment to "zero tolerance and zero error" was thoroughly demonstrated Tuesday when investigators discovered that a retired chemistry professor on the examination panel had bypassed traditional security measures by simply setting up coaching classes to dictate the questions he had just written.

The arrest follows the cancellation of the 2026 medical entrance exam, a decision that left 23 lakh candidates without a clear future but significantly enriched a well-established network of repeat offenders. Authorities confirmed the leak distribution was managed by a mastermind who had previously spent three years in jail for attempting to photograph the 2017 exam from a van.

"We are frankly shocked to find that individuals who make their living stealing our exams continue to steal our exams," an agency spokesperson said. The official noted that the network also successfully utilized the logistical expertise of another conspirator arrested during the 2023 teacher recruitment paper leak, proving the underground market's commitment to retaining experienced talent.

"While we acknowledge the Director General's statement that a single matched question compromises the entire process, candidates should know the integrity of the illegal transaction was flawless," the spokesperson added. "The students who paid for direct access to the paper-setters received exactly the meritocracy they purchased."