NEET Kingpin Nabbed: Insider Links Paper Leak to NTA

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Professor PV Kulkarni in Pune, labeling him the alleged "kingpin" in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. Investigators suspect this arrest points to an insider at the National Testing Agency (NTA), casting doubt on the exam's management. Kulkarni, a chemistry lecturer from Dayanand Medical College in Latur, was part of the NEET-UG 2026 question paper-setting committee.

The CBI investigation, initiated on May 12, 2026, following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education, has expanded significantly. Eight individuals have been arrested across multiple cities, with five currently in custody for questioning. Co-accused Manisha Waghmare was apprehended on May 14, 2026. These arrests are part of a broader effort to reconstruct the leak chain.

Investigators claim Professor Kulkarni used his official access in late April 2026 to provide the final NEET-UG 2026 questions. He allegedly dictated questions and answers to selected students in Pune, who reportedly paid several lakhs each. Notebooks seized from these students precisely matched the exam paper held on May 3, 2026.

The paper leak has become a major embarrassment for the NTA. CBI teams visited the NTA headquarters to examine records detailing the paper's handling from drafting to distribution. This contrasts with the NEET-UG 2024 investigation, where the NTA faced less internal scrutiny, unlike the current situation where an "insider role" is strongly suspected from the outset.

Kulkarni, originally from Latur, was detained in Pune and is expected to be transferred to New Delhi for further questioning. The CBI is examining seized electronic devices and documents to trace financial transactions and communication patterns within the alleged cheating network. More arrests are anticipated as digital evidence is analyzed.