Pune 15 May: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made a major breakthrough in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case by arresting the alleged mastermind, PV Kulkarni, from Maharashtra. Kulkarni, a retired chemistry lecturer from Pune with links to the National Testing Agency (NTA) examination process, is accused of playing a key role in leaking the medical entrance exam paper.

According to investigators, Kulkarni earlier served as a professor at Dayanand College in Latur and allegedly used his access and network to obtain confidential exam-related information. The CBI reached him after interrogating another accused, Manisha Waghmare, who reportedly revealed crucial details about the operation.

The probe has uncovered that in the last week of April 2026, Kulkarni and his associates allegedly organized “special coaching sessions” for selected students at his residence in Pune. During these sessions, students were reportedly provided with probable questions, answer options, and correct responses. Investigators later found that several of those questions matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 examination paper held on May 3.

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The CBI has conducted raids across multiple cities over the past 24 hours and seized electronic devices, mobile phones, laptops, and important documents linked to the racket. Officials are now examining digital evidence and financial transactions to identify the full extent of the network.

So far, several arrests have been made from cities including Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar. Investigators suspect the operation was part of a large interstate network that allegedly charged huge sums of money from students for access to the leaked paper.