CBI Arrests Alleged NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Kingpin PV Kulkarni in Pune; 7 Accused Held So Far

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday arrested PV Kulkarni, the alleged kingpin in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

According to the CBI, Kulkarni was associated with conducting the examination on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and, due to his role, allegedly had prior access to the NEET-UG 2026 question papers before the exam was held.

As per ANI reports, during the last week of April, Kulkarni allegedly gathered a group of students at his residence in Pune with the help of co-accused Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested by the CBI on May 14. During these special coaching sessions, he allegedly dictated examination questions, answer options, and the correct answers to students, who copied the details by hand into their notebooks.

Investigators said the handwritten notes recovered during the probe matched exactly with the actual NEET-UG 2026 question paper conducted on May 3, strengthening allegations of a pre-exam paper leak.

The CBI has so far arrested seven accused from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar in connection with the case. Five of the accused have already been produced before a court and remanded to seven days of police custody for detailed interrogation.

The remaining two accused, who were arrested recently, are currently being produced before a Pune court for transit remand and will subsequently be shifted to Delhi for further investigation.