NEET Paper Leak: Pune Professor PV Kulkarni Identified As Kingpin; Was Part Of NTA Panel, Dictated Questions To Students

NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday arrested the alleged kingpin of the NEET-UG paper leak.

PV Kulkarni, a native of Latur and a Chemistry lecturer, was involved in the examination process on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA). This granted him direct access to the question papers. He was arrested at his residence in Pune.

CBI has identified a kingpin who was the source of the NEET-UG 2026 Examination paper leaks. Investigation revealed that P.V. Kulkarni, Chemistry Lecturer involved in the process of examination on behalf of NTA. He had access to the question papers. During the last week of April,… pic.twitter.com/icXldxRCTf

— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2026

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How Did The Kingpin Transmit Questions To Students?

The investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak revealed that during the final week of April 2026, Kulkarni, with the help of another accused, Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested on May 14, mobilised a group of students for special coaching sessions held at his residence in Pune.

During these special classes, Kulkarni allegedly dictated the questions along with the options and correct answers, which students then handwrote into their notebooks.

Officials stated that these handwritten notes 'exactly matched' the actual question paper of the NEET-UG 2026 Examination held on May 3, news agency ANI reported.

"The probe so far has brought out the actual source of the leakage of the Chemistry paper as well as the middlemen involved in mobilising the students who paid several lakhs of rupees to attend the special coaching classes where these question banks were dictated/discussed. The CBI is committed to a comprehensive, impartial and professional investigation in this case," the agency was quoted as saying.

What The Investigation Has Revealed So Far?

Soon after the case came to light in Rajasthan on May 7, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe. The CBI registered a case on May 12 based on a formal complaint by the Union Ministry of Education.

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Special teams were formed to conduct searches at several locations, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents, electronic gadgets and mobile phones. A detailed forensic and technical analysis of these items is currently underway. Further details are awaited.

As of May 14, the CBI has arrested seven suspects from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar.

While five of these individuals have already been produced before the court and taken into seven-day police custody remand for detailed interrogation, the remaining two, arrested on Thursday, are being produced before a court in Pune to seek transit remand for their transfer to Delhi.

(With Inputs From Agencies)