NEET-UG 2026 paper leak: CBI arrests Pune Chemistry teacher PV Kulkarni, says he was the mastermind behind the leak

CBI Arrests Chemistry teacher PV Kulkarni in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case
PV Kulkarni arrested by CBI (Image via X)

In a breakthrough in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested chemistry teacher P. V. Kulkarni, who has been identified as the mastermind behind the leak. Kulkarni, originally from Latur and working in Pune, Maharashtra, was arrested on Friday, 15th May, after investigators traced the source of the leaked Chemistry paper.

According to the CBI, Kulkarni was associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) examination process, which gave him access to the question papers. However, officials have not yet revealed complete details about his exact role within the examination system.

How the questions were shared 

CBI officials said that during the last week of April 2026, Kulkarni gathered a group of students with the help of another accused, Manisha Waghmare. The students were called to Kulkarni’s residence in Pune, where special coaching sessions were organised before the examination.

During these sessions, Kulkarni dictated the questions, answer options and correct answers to students. The students wrote down the details in notebooks by hand. According to investigators, these handwritten notes later “exactly tallied” with the actual Chemistry paper of the NEET-UG 2026 examination.

The NEET-UG exam was originally conducted on 3rd May but was later cancelled after news of a paper leak surfaced. The re-examination is now scheduled to be held on 21st June. More than 22 lakh students had appeared for the examination, making it one of the largest entrance tests in India.

Seven accused arrested so far

The CBI took over the investigation after the matter first came to light in Rajasthan on 7th May. The agency officially registered the case on 12th May, following a complaint from the Union Ministry of Education.

As part of the probe, CBI teams carried out raids at several locations across the country and seized important documents, electronic gadgets and mobile phones. Officials said forensic and technical analysis of the seized material is currently underway.

By 14th May, seven accused had already been arrested from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar. Five of them were produced before a court and sent to seven days of custody for questioning. Two others arrested later in Pune are now being brought to Delhi on transit remand.

“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 said in its statement.

The agency also added, “The CBI is committed to a comprehensive, impartial and professional investigation in this case.”

NTA announces re-examination details 

Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency issued a fresh notice regarding the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination through a post on X.

The NTA confirmed that the re-exam will be conducted on Sunday, 21st June, in pen-and-paper mode across 13 languages. The exam duration has also been increased by 15 minutes and will now be held from 2 pm to 5:15 pm, including examination formalities.

Candidates will be allowed to update their present address and choose preferred examination cities between 15th May and 21st May till 11:50 pm. Students can select their first- and second-preferred exam cities, while those who do not make any changes will retain their earlier choices.

The NTA also clarified that no extra fee will be charged for appearing in the re-examination. Admit cards, city intimation slips and other examination details are expected to be released before 14th June.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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