Crime
CBI Claims Major Breakthrough in Medical Entrance Exam Leak Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested P V Kulkarni, identified as the alleged kingpin and source of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Investigators claim he used his access to examination material to conduct special coaching sessions for selected students before the exam.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday announced the arrest of P V Kulkarni, whom investigators have identified as the alleged kingpin behind the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak case.
According to the agency, Kulkarni was associated with the examination process on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and had access to the confidential question papers.
The investigation revealed that during the last week of April 2026, Kulkarni allegedly mobilised students with the assistance of another accused, Manisha Waghmare, who had earlier been arrested by the CBI on May 14.
Officials alleged that Kulkarni conducted special coaching classes at his residence in Pune, where he dictated questions, answer options, and correct responses to selected students. The students reportedly handwritten the dictated material in notebooks.
According to the CBI, the questions dictated during these sessions matched exactly with the actual NEET-UG 2026 examination paper conducted on May 3.
The agency said that, so far, seven accused have been arrested from multiple cities including Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar.
Five of the accused have already been produced before a court and remanded to seven days of police custody for detailed interrogation. The two individuals arrested most recently are being produced before a court in Pune for transit remand and will subsequently be brought to Delhi for further proceedings.
The NEET-UG controversy has triggered nationwide concern and led to the cancellation of the examination. The government has since announced that the examination will be reconducted on June 21 and that NEET will transition to a computer-based format from next year onward as part of reforms aimed at preventing malpractice.
