NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: CBI Arrests NTA-Linked Lecturer Alleged to Be ‘Kingpin’ of Interstate Racket

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Pune-based Chemistry lecturer allegedly linked to the National Testing Agency in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, accusing him of masterminding a nationwide examination fraud racket that compromised India’s largest medical entrance exam.

The accused, identified as PV Kulkarni, is alleged to have leaked confidential examination questions during secret tuition sessions conducted at his residence in Pune ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) held on May 3.

Investigators claim Kulkarni was directly associated with the NTA’s question paper-setting process and used his insider access to distribute exact questions and answers to selected students and intermediaries in exchange for large sums of money.

CBI Says Lecturer Had Direct Access to Question Papers

According to the CBI, Kulkarni was a retired college professor who had long served as part of the NTA panel responsible for preparing NEET question papers.

Investigators allege that during the final week of April, he organized covert coaching sessions at his Pune residence where aspirants were allegedly provided with exact questions, answer options, and solutions that later appeared in the official NEET-UG 2026 examination.

Students reportedly copied the dictated material into notebooks during the sessions.

The agency stated that forensic examination of seized notebooks confirmed that handwritten questions and answers matched the final Physics, Chemistry, and Biology sections of the official examination paper.

Multi-State Network Exposed

The investigation has uncovered what officials describe as a large interstate examination leak network spanning multiple states.

Alongside Kulkarni, the CBI arrested Pune-based businesswoman Manisha Waghmare, who investigators described as a key agent involved in coordinating the operation.

Another accused, Dhananjay Lokhande, who allegedly operated a career counselling firm, was also taken into custody for reportedly acting as an intermediary distributing leaked material.

CBI officials further alleged that brokers identified as Shubham Madhukar Khairnar and Yash Yadav circulated scanned PDF copies of the leaked paper through encrypted Telegram channels on April 29.

Investigators claim the leaked content was later distributed through coaching centre networks operating in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, a major coaching hub for competitive examinations.

Huge Sums Allegedly Paid for Access

The agency alleged that students and coaching operators paid several lakh rupees to gain access to the leaked material and exclusive coaching sessions.

Authorities are now examining financial records, digital communications, encrypted messaging platforms, and bank transactions connected to the operation.

Multiple FIRs have reportedly been registered across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Bihar as investigators continue identifying additional suspects linked to the alleged racket.

Government Cancels Entire NEET-UG 2026 Exam

The scale of the alleged compromise forced the Education Ministry and the National Testing Agency to cancel the entire NEET-UG 2026 examination earlier this week.

The cancellation marks the first time since the NTA assumed responsibility for NEET administration in 2019 that the nationwide medical entrance examination has been completely scrapped.

The decision has affected nearly 23 lakh medical aspirants across India, disrupting admission schedules and creating widespread uncertainty among students and parents.

Officials have not yet announced a fresh examination date.

Pressure Mounts on NTA and Examination System

The controversy has intensified criticism of the National Testing Agency and India’s competitive examination system.

Student organizations, opposition parties, and education experts have demanded stronger safeguards, cybersecurity protections, and independent oversight mechanisms to prevent future paper leaks.

The case has also renewed scrutiny of the enormous influence of private coaching centres and the high-pressure environment surrounding competitive entrance examinations in India.

Meanwhile, the CBI said further arrests are possible as the investigation expands into digital networks, financial transactions, and alleged links between examination insiders and private coaching operators.