CBI Arrests Kingpin in NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case; Chemistry Lecturer Held in Pune
Reported Mubarak Ansari
Pune/Delhi, 15th May 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a key accused identified as the alleged kingpin in the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak case, following a detailed investigation into the examination malpractice network linked to the national medical entrance test.
According to the agency, the arrested accused, P.V. Kulkarni, a Chemistry lecturer originally from Latur and involved in examination-related duties on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA), had access to the question papers. Investigators found that he allegedly played a central role in leaking exam content to students in exchange for money through a coordinated network.
The CBI stated that during the last week of April 2026, Kulkarni, with the assistance of co-accused Manisha Waghmare—who was arrested on May 14, 2026—allegedly gathered selected students and conducted special coaching sessions at his residence in Pune. During these sessions, he is accused of dictating questions along with multiple-choice options and correct answers, which were written down by students in notebooks.
Preliminary findings suggest that several of these handwritten questions closely matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 examination paper conducted on May 3, 2026, raising strong evidence of leakage from within the examination system, the agency said.
Kulkarni was arrested in Pune after sustained interrogation by CBI officials. In the past 24 hours, the agency also conducted searches at multiple locations across the country, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents, mobile phones, and electronic devices. These materials are currently under forensic and technical examination.
The case was registered on May 12, 2026, based on a complaint from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, regarding alleged irregularities and paper leak in NEET-UG 2026. Following the registration, multiple CBI teams were formed and coordinated raids were carried out across several states.
So far, the agency has arrested seven accused from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar. Of these, five have already been produced before the court and remanded to CBI custody for seven days. The remaining two accused, arrested recently, are being produced before a Pune court for transit remand and will be shifted to Delhi for further questioning.
Investigators further revealed that the racket involved intermediaries who facilitated the recruitment of students, who allegedly paid several lakhs of rupees to attend these illegal coaching sessions where leaked question sets were discussed and dictated.
The CBI said the investigation is ongoing with multiple special teams working on technical analysis and financial trails to identify the full extent of the network involved. The agency reiterated its commitment to a thorough, impartial, and professional investigation into the case.
