CBI arrests NTA-linked Pune lecturer in NEET paper leak case; questions allegedly shared in coaching class

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Pune-based Chemistry lecturer accused of being.

The mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, alleging that he secretly shared exam questions and answers with aspirants during special tuition sessions before the test. The accused, PV Kulkarni, was associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) and allegedly had access to confidential exam material as part of a panel involved in setting NEET question papers over the years, officials said.

According to the CBI, Kulkarni conducted closed-door coaching sessions at his residence in Pune during the last week of April, where he allegedly dictated Chemistry questions, answer options and correct responses to students appearing for the medical entrance examination held on May 3.

Investigators said students attending the sessions copied the questions by hand into notebooks, and those notes later matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 paper. The agency alleged that aspirants paid several lakh rupees to attend the classes.

Kulkarni, a retired college professor, was questioned by the CBI on May 14 before being arrested. His alleged accomplice, Manisha Waghmare, was also taken into custody. In a statement, the CBI said the investigation had “brought out the actual source of the leakage of Chemistry paper”, adding that the questions shared during the coaching sessions “exactly tallied” with the final examination paper.

The probe has so far led to seven arrests across multiple states. Among those arrested are Rajasthan residents Mangi Lal and Dinesh Biwal, who investigators believe played a key role in distributing the leaked paper through coaching networks in Sikar.

Officials suspect the duo may also have been involved in leaking and selling medical entrance exam papers in previous years. NEET-UG 2026, conducted on May 3 for undergraduate medical admissions, saw nearly 22 lakh students appear for the examination.

The National Testing Agency cancelled the exam on May 12 after allegations of a paper leak escalated and evidence surfaced during an investigation by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG).

According to investigators, a handwritten “guess paper” recovered during the probe closely matched the actual exam, including all 90 Biology questions and all 45 Chemistry questions that eventually appeared in NEET-UG 2026.