**Executive Summary**
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Shri P.V. Kulkarni, the identified kingpin behind the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. Following a complaint registered on May 12, 2026, the investigation revealed that a Chemistry Lecturer used his access to National Testing Agency (NTA) materials to leak exam content for profit. Seven suspects have been arrested to date, with five currently in police custody for interrogation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Primary Arrests and Modus Operandi**
* **Arrest of Kingpin:** Shri P.V. Kulkarni, a Chemistry Lecturer involved in the NTA examination process, was arrested in Pune after being identified as the source of the leak.
* **Co-conspirator:** Ms. Manisha Waghmare was arrested on May 14, 2026, for her role in mobilizing students for the scheme.
* **Special Coaching Classes:** During the last week of April 2026, Kulkarni conducted private sessions at his Pune residence where he dictated questions, options, and correct answers to students.
* **Direct Match:** Handwritten notes taken by students during these classes were found to tally exactly with the actual NEET-UG 2026 paper held on May 3, 2026.
**Scale of Investigation**
* **Financial Stakes:** Middlemen were involved in recruiting students who allegedly paid several lakhs of rupees to access the leaked question banks.
* **Geographic Scope:** Arrests have been made across multiple locations, including Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar.
* **Evidence Seizure:** CBI teams have seized electronic gadgets, mobile phones, and incriminating documents, which are currently undergoing forensic and technical analysis.
**Legal and Procedural Status**
* **Case Registration:** The investigation began on May 12, 2026, following a written complaint from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
* **Custody:** Five of the seven arrested individuals have been remanded to seven days of police custody. Two others are being shifted to Delhi following transit remand proceedings in Pune.
**Impact Analysis**
**Shri P.V. Kulkarni and Accomplices**
**Impact**
They are the primary targets of the investigation, facing criminal charges for leaking national examination papers and accepting bribes.
**Action Required**
The accused must undergo interrogation and remain in police custody or transit remand as ordered by the court.
**Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)**
**Impact**
The agency is responsible for conducting a nationwide investigation to uncover the full extent of the leak and the middlemen involved.
**Action Required**
CBI must complete the forensic analysis of seized items and produce the remaining accused before the court for further proceedings.
**National Testing Agency (NTA) and Ministry of Education**
**Impact**
The integrity of the NEET-UG 2026 examination process was compromised by an individual authorized to be involved in the process.
**Action Required**
The Department of Higher Education provided the initial complaint and will need to review the results of the investigation to address procedural vulnerabilities.
**Involved Students**
**Impact**
Students who paid for access to the leaked questions are now part of a criminal investigation.
**Action Required**
Their handwritten notebooks and financial transactions are being used as evidence in the ongoing case.
Key Entities Referenced
NEET-UG 2026 Examination: The national-level medical entrance test which is the central subject of the investigated paper leak.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The primary federal agency leading the criminal investigation and performing the arrests related to the examination irregularities.
National Testing Agency (NTA): The agency responsible for conducting the NEET-UG examination whose internal processes were compromised by the accused.
Shri P.V. Kulkarni: The Chemistry Lecturer identified by investigators as the kingpin and primary source of the examination paper leak.
Department of Higher Education: The division within the Ministry of Education that filed the formal complaint initiating the CBI's investigation.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
CBI arrests Kingpin in NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak
Case
Posted On: 15 MAY 2026 7:38PM by PIB Mumbai
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has identified and arrested the kingpin
who was the source of the NEET-UG 2026 Examination paper leak.
Investigation has revealed that Shri P.V. Kulkarni, a Chemistry Lecturer involved in
the examination process on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA), had access
to the question papers. During the last week of April 2026, he allegedly mobilized
students with the help of another accused, Ms. Manisha Waghmare, who was
arrested by CBI on 14.05.2026, and conducted special coaching classes for these
students at his residence in Pune.
During these special coaching classes, Shri P.V. Kulkarni allegedly dictated the
questions along with options and correct answers. The questions so dictated were
handwritten by students in their notebooks and have exactly tallied with the actual
question paper of the NEET-UG 2026 Examination held on 03.05.2026.
Shri P.V. Kulkarni, originally belonging to Latur, has been arrested in Pune after
thorough interrogation. In the last 24 hours, CBI has also conducted searches at
several locations across the country and seized incriminating documents, electronic
gadgets and mobile phones. Detailed forensic and technical analysis of the seized
items is underway.
It may be recalled that CBI had registered the case on 12.05.2026 based on a
written complaint received from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of
Education, Government of India, pertaining to the alleged paper leak of the NEET-
UG 2026 Examination. Immediately after registration of the case, special teams
were constituted and searches were conducted at various locations across the
country. Several suspects were picked up and interrogated.
Till yesterday, seven accused had been arrested from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik,
Pune and Ahilyanagar. Out of these, five accused have already been produced
before the court and remanded to seven days’ police custody for detailed
interrogation. The other two accused, who were arrested yesterday, are being
produced before the court in Pune for transit remand and are being shifted to Delhi.
Investigation conducted so far has brought out the actual source of the Chemistry
paper leak as well as the role of middlemen involved in mobilizing students who
allegedly paid several lakhs of rupees to attend the special coaching classes where
the question banks were dictated and discussed.CBI remains committed to a comprehensive, impartial and professional investigation
in the case.
***
Edgar Coelho/Parshuram Kor
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PI
BMumbai /pibmumbai
(Release ID: 2261565) Visitor Counter : 2737
Read this release in: Marathi