The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has identified the alleged kingpin behind the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak case, claiming that the accused played a crucial role in leaking question papers ahead of the national-level medical entrance examination.

According to the CBI, the accused, P.V. Kulkarni, a Chemistry lecturer associated with the examination process on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA), had access to the NEET-UG 2026 question papers. Investigators alleged that Kulkarni exploited his position to orchestrate the leak.

The probe revealed that during the last week of April 2026, Kulkarni allegedly mobilised students with the assistance of another accused, Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested by the CBI on May 14, 2026. The agency claimed that special coaching sessions were conducted at Kulkarni’s residence in Pune, where he allegedly dictated examination questions along with answer options and the correct responses.

According to investigators, students attending these sessions handwritten the dictated content in their notebooks. During the course of the investigation, the CBI reportedly found that these handwritten questions and answers matched exactly with the actual NEET-UG 2026 question paper conducted on May 3, 2026.

The agency stated that a total of seven accused have been arrested so far from multiple locations, including Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar.

Also Read: NTA announces NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination on June 21

Out of the seven accused, five have already been produced before the court and remanded to seven days of police custody for detailed interrogation. The remaining two accused, who were arrested on Thursday, are being produced before a court in Pune for transit remand and are expected to be shifted to Delhi for further legal proceedings.

The investigation into the alleged examination malpractice remains underway, and further arrests or revelations may emerge as the probe progresses.