According to the CBI, Kulkarni was connected to the National Testing Agency’s examination process, which allegedly allowed him access to confidential question papers. Investigators claimed he organised special coaching sessions at his Pune residence during the last week of April with the help of another accused, Manisha Waghmare.

How The Leak Was Allegedly Planned

Officials said students who attended these coaching sessions paid several lakh rupees to gain access to leaked material. During the classes, Kulkarni allegedly dictated chemistry questions, answer options, and correct answers to students.

The students reportedly copied the details into notebooks. During the investigation, the CBI found that the handwritten material matched the actual chemistry paper used in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. This evidence strengthened the case against NEET-UG paper leak kingpin PV Kulkarni.

The NEET-UG 2026 exam was conducted on May 3 but later cancelled after allegations of a paper leak surfaced in Rajasthan on May 7. The re-examination is now scheduled for June 21. More than 22 lakh students had appeared for the exam across India.

Seven Arrested So Far

The CBI registered the case on May 12 after receiving a formal complaint from the Union Ministry of Education. Since then, special teams have conducted raids in multiple cities, including Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar.

So far, seven accused have been arrested in connection with the case. Five of them are currently under seven-day custody remand for interrogation. Two others arrested in Pune are being taken to Delhi on transit remand.

Officials also seized electronic gadgets, mobile phones, and documents during the searches. Forensic examination of the seized items is ongoing. The agency stated that the probe has uncovered the source of the chemistry paper leak and the network allegedly linked to NEET-UG paper leak kingpin PV Kulkarni.

FAQs

Q: Who is NEET-UG paper leak kingpin PV Kulkarni?

A: PV Kulkarni is a chemistry teacher arrested by the CBI for allegedly leaking the NEET-UG 2026 chemistry paper.

Q: How did NEET-UG paper leak kingpin PV Kulkarni allegedly leak the paper?

A: The CBI claims he dictated leaked chemistry questions and answers to students during special coaching sessions in Pune.

Q: When will NEET-UG 2026 be conducted again?

A: The cancelled NEET-UG 2026 examination will be reconducted on June 21.

Q: How many people have been arrested in the NEET-UG leak case?

A: The CBI has arrested seven accused so far in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak investigation.