NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: CBI Arrests Pune Chemistry Lecturer
The investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has intensified, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arresting a chemistry lecturer from Pune who is suspected of having played a key role in leaking the examination paper.
Officials believe the accused had direct access to confidential exam material through his involvement in the examination process conducted on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
According to the CBI, the arrested lecturer, identified as P V Kulkarni, has emerged as a major figure in the alleged leak network.
Investigators claim he was associated with the examination process and had access to the NEET-UG question papers before the exam was conducted.
The agency alleged that Kulkarni organised secret coaching sessions at his residence in Pune during the final week of April 2026. During these sessions, students were allegedly provided with leaked questions and answers related to the NEET-UG examination.
Following extensive questioning, Kulkarni was arrested in Pune and later brought to Delhi for further investigation.
Officials said students reportedly paid lakhs of rupees to attend these exclusive coaching classes, where leaked questions were allegedly dictated and discussed in detail.
The CBI has also arrested another accused, including Manisha Waghmare from Pune, who is believed to have assisted Kulkarni in conducting the coaching sessions.
According to investigators, Kulkarni allegedly dictated questions, answer options, and correct responses during these classes, while students wrote them down in notebooks.
The agency further claimed that the handwritten material collected from students matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 question paper conducted on May 3, strengthening suspicions of an organised leak operation.
The case was officially registered by the CBI on May 12 after the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education submitted a written complaint regarding the alleged leak.
Soon after, the agency formed multiple special investigation teams and launched coordinated raids and searches across several cities.
CBI officials said searches conducted over the past 24 hours at different locations across the country led to the recovery of important documents, electronic gadgets, and mobile phones believed to be linked to the conspiracy.
So far, seven individuals have been arrested from cities including Jaipur, Gurgaon, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar.
Five of the accused have already been produced before the courts and sent to seven-day police custody for detailed interrogation.
The two most recently arrested suspects are currently undergoing transit remand procedures in Pune before being shifted to Delhi.
As part of the widening investigation, the CBI also questioned Shivraj Motegaokar, who operates the well-known RCC Coaching Classes network based in Latur.
Sources said he was interrogated for nearly 11 hours on Thursday.
RCC Coaching Classes is considered one of Maharashtra’s prominent institutes for medical entrance exam preparation and has multiple branches across the state.
Investigators are now examining allegations that certain “mock question papers” circulated at the institute reportedly contained questions that later appeared in the actual NEET-UG examination.
The controversy has also brought renewed attention to Latur’s massive coaching industry, which has evolved into a major hub for engineering and medical entrance preparation in Maharashtra.
Every year, thousands of students from different districts travel to the city in hopes of securing admission to top professional colleges.
