CBI arrests NEET-UG 2026 paper leak mastermind, a Pune chemistry lecturer.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested P.V. Kulkarni, a chemistry lecturer from Pune, identifying him as the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Kulkarni's involvement reportedly stemmed from his role in the examination process for the National Testing Agency (NTA), which granted him access to question papers. Investigations reveal that Kulkarni allegedly conducted special coaching classes in Pune during the last week of April 2026, where he dictated questions, along with their options and correct answers, to students. These dictated questions were handwritten by the students and are alleged to have precisely matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 examination paper, which was held on May 3, 2026. [1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 15] The paper leak allegations led to the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination by the NTA on May 12, 2026, impacting over 22 lakh medical aspirants. The CBI registered a case on May 12, 2026, following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, and launched a nationwide investigation. [15, 18] The probe has uncovered a multi-state network involved in the leak, with arrests made in several states, including Rajasthan, Haryana, and Maharashtra. [16, 18] Initial findings suggest that the leaked paper was handwritten, scanned, converted into PDF files, and circulated through WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels, and coaching centre networks. [1, 5] The cost of accessing this leaked material allegedly ranged from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. [1, 5] Among the other arrested individuals are Manisha Waghmare, who allegedly assisted Kulkarni in organizing the coaching sessions, and a group of brothers from Jaipur (Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, and Vikas Biwal), along with Yash Yadav from Gurugram and Shubham Khairnar from Nashik. [2, 16, 18] The investigation also revealed that a handwritten 'guess paper' containing approximately 410 questions, with about 120 matching the NEET-UG 2026 Biology and Chemistry sections, had been circulating prior to the exam. [1, 5, 8, 13] The trail of the leaked paper is believed to have started in Rajasthan, with a whistleblower alerting the authorities. [10, 11] In response to the crisis, the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination would be conducted on June 21, 2026. [11, 15] He also stated that to enhance transparency and prevent future malpractices, the NEET examination would transition to a computer-based format starting the following year. [14, 17] The cancellation marked a significant event, as it was the first time in the exam's history that NEET was entirely scrapped. [15] The Supreme Court is also reviewing the matter, and affected candidates will receive refunds for examination fees, with no additional charges for the re-examination. [14] The NEET-UG is a critical examination in India, serving as the sole entrance gateway for undergraduate medical and dental courses. The integrity of this examination system is paramount for millions of aspiring students and their families. The ongoing CBI investigation aims to unravel the entire conspiracy, identify all individuals involved, and strengthen the examination process to prevent future occurrences of paper leaks and other unfair means. [8, 17, 19]

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