The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday claimed a major breakthrough in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case after arresting a Pune-based chemistry professor accused of being the main source behind the leak that has put the future of nearly 23 lakh medical aspirants under scrutiny.
The accused, identified as PV Kulkarni, was taken into custody by the CBI, which described him as the “kingpin” of the conspiracy.
According to officials, Kulkarni had access to NEET examination papers through his involvement in the exam process on behalf of the National Testing Agency and allegedly exploited that position to leak questions to students ahead of the exam.
Questions Allegedly Dictated Before Exam
Investigators said Kulkarni, originally from Latur in Maharashtra, also conducted private coaching classes under the name “Raj Coaching Classes” from his residence in Pune.
One such session was allegedly held in the last week of April, just days before the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3.
During the class, officials claimed Kulkarni dictated questions, answer options and correct responses to students, who wrote them down in their notebooks.
The breakthrough reportedly came after investigators compared the notes recovered from students with the actual NEET-UG question paper.
Officials said several questions matched verbatim, strengthening the agency’s suspicion that the leak originated from someone directly connected to the examination system.
Beauty Parlour Owner Also Arrested
The CBI had earlier arrested Manisha Waghmare, who allegedly acted as an intermediary in the operation.
According to officials, Waghmare, who ran a beauty parlour, approached students and parents with promises of leaked NEET papers and guaranteed medical college admissions.
She allegedly charged lakhs of rupees from aspirants before connecting them to Kulkarni.
Investigators are now attempting to identify other members of the alleged network and determine how widely the racket operated across states.
Raids Conducted Across Multiple Cities
As part of the investigation, the CBI conducted raids at multiple locations across the country over the past 24 hours.
Officials said several documents, electronic devices and mobile phones have been seized during the searches and are currently undergoing forensic and technical examination.
The agency registered the case earlier this week following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.
Special investigation teams were subsequently formed to probe the alleged leak and identify all those involved.
Eight Arrested So Far
So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case from cities including Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar.
Five accused were produced before a court on Thursday and remanded to seven days of custody for further interrogation.
The NEET-UG paper leak controversy has triggered nationwide outrage, with concerns growing over the credibility and security of India’s largest medical entrance examination.
The examination serves as the gateway for admissions to MBBS and BDS courses across the country and is taken annually by lakhs of students competing for limited seats.