CBI Arrests Pune Lecturer PV Kulkarni in NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak Case

Kulkarni Linked to NEET Paper Setting

PV Kulkarni was an integral part of the examination process of the NTA (which organized the examination) and thus, had the answers and questions of the entrance test which was conducted on May 3rd. 

He was one of the main setters of the NEET question paper over many years. The former college professor was apprehended by the central agency on the evening of Thursday, May 14th. 

Kulkarni Held NEET Coaching Sessions

Investigations showed that Kulkarni, aided by another accused Manisha Waghmare, organized coaching classes for students who paid to get the NEET examination questions in the last week of April. Waghmare was arrested by the central agency on Thursday, May 14th as well. The students used to attend private training sessions at this Pune home. 

In these exclusive lessons Kulkarni wrote down the questions, the given answer choices, and the correct answers in their notebooks, and the written questions exactly matched the official question paper set on May 3rd. 

Eight Accused Arrested in Leak Case

Currently, 7 suspects have been arrested from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar in connection to the case. The latest arrest means that 8 persons have been taken into custody to date.

The first seven arrested had been brought before court, and were remanded for seven days into police custody, so the authorities can obtain further details about the paper leak. Those arrested on Thursday are to be presented before a Pune court, and will eventually be brought to Delhi for more proceedings, so that the transit remand can be procured. 

NEET Re-Exam To Be Conducted in June

The undergraduate admissions test which was conducted on May 3rd, was cancelled on the 12th, due to allegations of a question paper leak, the Center has since handed the case over to the CBI for further investigations. The NEET UG 2026 will be re-conducted on June 21st between 2PM to 5:15PM.