The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a chemistry teacher, PV Kulkarni, identifying him as the alleged “kingpin” behind the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Kulkarni, a native of Latur, was working in Pune when he was taken into custody. Officials said he had links with the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the medical entrance test.
As per a report by the Hindustan Times, the agency said that Kulkarni was associated with the exam process, giving him access to sensitive material, including question papers. While further specifics about his role have not been disclosed, investigators believe this access enabled the leak of the Chemistry paper.
How questions were allegedly shared
The probe suggests that in the last week of April 2026, Kulkarni gathered a group of students with help from another accused, Manisha Waghmare. Special coaching sessions were held at his Pune residence, where he allegedly dictated questions, answer options and correct responses.
Also Read | Fuel crisis reaches Supreme Court: Virtual hearings, WFH and carpooling kick in
Students attending these sessions wrote down the material by hand in their notebooks. Officials noted that these handwritten notes later “exactly tallied” with the actual NEET-UG 2026 question paper. The exam, conducted on May 3 for more than 22 lakh candidates, has since been cancelled and is scheduled to be held again on June 21.
Investigation trail and arrests
The case first surfaced in Rajasthan on May 7 before being handed over to the CBI. A formal complaint from the Union education ministry led to the registration of the case on May 12, following which special teams were formed.
Search operations across multiple locations resulted in the seizure of documents, mobile phones and electronic devices. These are currently undergoing detailed forensic and technical examination.
Also Read | NEET UG 2026 re-exam to be held on June 21, announces NTA
By May 14, seven people had been arrested from cities including Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahliyanagar. Five of them have already been produced in court and remanded to custody for seven days. The remaining two were being presented before a Pune court for transit remand to Delhi.
“The probe so far has brought out the actual source of the leakage of Chemistry paper as well as the middlemen involved in mobilising the students who paid several lakhs of rupees to attend the special coaching classes where these question banks were dictated/discussed. The CBI is committed to comprehensive, impartial and professional investigation in this case,” Hindustan Times quoted the agency as stating.
