New Delhi, May 16: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, marking a major breakthrough in the high-profile investigation that has triggered nationwide outrage among medical aspirants.
The accused, identified as PV Kulkarni, is a chemistry lecturer from Maharashtra who was reportedly associated with the National Testing Agency’s examination process. According to investigators, he allegedly misused his access to confidential exam material and leaked questions before the medical entrance examination conducted on May 3.
CBI officials said Kulkarni, along with other accused persons, organised secret coaching sessions at his Pune residence in the last week of April. During these sessions, students were allegedly dictated questions, options and answers that later matched the actual NEET-UG examination paper. The agency suspects that candidates were charged lakhs of rupees to attend these classes.
Investigators have already arrested several accused from multiple cities, including Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik and Pune. Raids were also conducted at different locations, leading to the seizure of mobile phones, electronic gadgets and important documents, which are now being examined for forensic evidence.
The CBI registered the case earlier this week following a complaint from the Union Education Ministry regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. The agency said the probe is continuing to identify the full network involved in the leak racket.