Secret classes, handwritten notes: How alleged ‘kingpin’ PV Kulkarni leaked NEET-UG 2026 papers in Pune

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, identifying him as PV Kulkarni, a retired chemistry teacher accused of leaking exam questions through covert coaching sessions held in Pune days before the May 3 examination.

NEET-UG, India’s biggest medical entrance exam, was taken by more than 22 lakh students this year. The test was later cancelled amid allegations of a question paper leak and will now be reconducted on June 21.

How the leak allegedly worked

According to the CBI, the operation began in the last week of April when Kulkarni allegedly teamed up with co-accused Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested on May 14, to identify and assemble students willing to pay for access to the paper.

Instead of circulating digital copies or printed material, investigators said Kulkarni organised secret “special coaching classes” from his Pune residence. During these sessions, he allegedly dictated questions, answer choices and correct responses to students, who were instructed to write them down manually in notebooks.

CBI officials later recovered handwritten notes from students that allegedly matched the Chemistry section of the original NEET-UG 2026 question paper exactly.

Who is PV Kulkarni?

Kulkarni, a resident of Maharashtra’s Latur district, previously worked as a chemistry faculty member at a reputed college and retired around four years ago, officials said.

The CBI has also claimed that he had links to the National Testing Agency’s NEET examination process, allegedly giving him access to confidential question papers. However, investigators have not publicly disclosed the exact nature of his role.

CBI expands probe

The CBI formally took over the investigation on May 12 after a complaint from the Union education ministry. The alleged leak first came to light in Rajasthan on May 7.

Since then, the agency has carried out searches and raids across several states, seizing mobile phones, electronic devices and documents that are now being examined through forensic and technical analysis.

By May 14, seven people had been arrested from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar.

Investigators said they have uncovered a wider network of middlemen who allegedly approached students and collected lakhs of rupees in exchange for access to leaked questions through the coaching sessions.

Coaching institute also questioned

The agency also questioned Shivraj Motegaonkar, director of Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) in Latur, as part of the probe.

A 28-member CBI team visited his residence and interrogated individuals linked to the case, though officials have not yet clarified whether the institute itself was directly involved in the alleged paper leak network.