Last Updated on May 15, 2026 7:53 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
Inder Vashisth / New Delhi
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday arrested a chemistry lecturer from Pune claimed to be mastermind in connection with the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper, claiming to have uncovered the “actual source” of the Chemistry paper leak and the network involved in coaching students using leaked questions.
According to the CBI, the accused, identified as P.V. Kulkarni, was associated with the examination process on behalf of the National Testing Agency and had access to the question papers. Investigators alleged that during the last week of April 2026, Kulkarni, with the assistance of another accused, Manisha Waghmare, organised special coaching sessions for selected students at his residence in Pune.
The agency stated that Waghmare had been arrested on May 14. During the coaching sessions, Kulkarni allegedly dictated questions, answer options and correct answers to students, who handwrittenly noted them in their notebooks. The CBI claimed that these questions matched exactly with the Chemistry section of the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3.
Kulkarni, originally from Latur district in Maharashtra, was arrested in Pune after what the agency described as “thorough interrogation”.
The CBI also said it had carried out searches at several locations across the country over the past 24 hours, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents, electronic devices and mobile phones. Forensic and technical examination of the seized material is currently underway.
The case was registered by the agency on May 12 following a written complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education regarding the alleged paper leak in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. Soon after the FIR was filed, the CBI constituted special investigation teams and conducted raids across multiple states, questioning several suspects.
So far, seven accused persons have been arrested from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar. Of these, five have already been produced before a court and remanded to seven days of police custody for detailed interrogation. Two others arrested on Thursday are being produced before a Pune court for transit remand before being shifted to Delhi.
The agency said its investigation had so far identified both the source of the leaked Chemistry paper and the intermediaries allegedly involved in mobilising students who reportedly paid several lakh rupees to attend the special coaching sessions where the leaked question bank was discussed.
The CBI reiterated that it was committed to conducting a “comprehensive, impartial and professional investigation” into the case.