The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Pune-based chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni for allegedly masterminding the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak that forced the cancellation of the national medical entrance examination. According to the agency, Kulkarni, who was associated with the examination process through the National Testing Agency (NTA), had access to the question papers and allegedly leaked them to students during secret tuition sessions held at his Pune residence.
The accused, a retired college professor and former member of the panel responsible for setting NEET question papers, was questioned by the CBI on May 14 before being arrested. Officials claimed he worked alongside co-accused Manisha Waghmare, who was also arrested in connection with the case.
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The CBI alleged that Kulkarni dictated questions, options and correct answers to a select group of aspirants during special coaching classes conducted in the last week of April. Students reportedly copied the answers into notebooks, which investigators later found matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 question paper conducted on May 3.
The agency further stated that students paid several lakhs of rupees to attend these coaching sessions. Investigators believe the arrest has helped uncover the original source of the Chemistry paper leak.
So far, seven people have been arrested in the case, including Rajasthan residents Mangi Lal and Dinesh Biwal, who allegedly helped spread the leaked paper through coaching institutes in Sikar. The NEET-UG exam, attended by nearly 22 lakh candidates, was cancelled by the NTA on May 12 following nationwide outrage over the alleged leak.
