NEET UG 2026 Leak: How PV Kulkarni Masterminded Scam To Boost Coaching

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made a significant breakthrough in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, identifying PV Kulkarni, a Chemistry lecturer, as the primary mastermind behind the security breach. According to CBI sources, the leak wasn't the work of a large-scale organized crime syndicate but was a calculated move by Kulkarni to elevate the status and success of his private coaching center. By ensuring his students achieved top marks through leaked questions, Kulkarni aimed to establish his coaching institute as a premier destination for medical aspirants across the region.

The Modus Operandi in Pune

The investigation revealed that Kulkarni, originally hailing from Latur district but operating in Pune, utilized his professional network to orchestrate the leak, while he collaborated with an associate named Manisha Waghmare to conduct clandestine coaching sessions. These special classes were held at Kulkarni's residence in Pune, where selected students were provided with the exact questions, multiple-choice options, and correct answers that were set to appear in the national entrance examination. The CBI alleges that Kulkarni charged exorbitant fees, running into lakhs of rupees per student, in exchange for this insider information. During these sessions, students were encouraged to memorize the answers thoroughly to ensure a perfect score.

How a Student Exposed the Entire Plan

Despite the meticulous planning, the entire operation was compromised by the actions of one of Kulkarni's own students. Driven by a desire to recover the heavy fees paid for the leaked paper, the student shared the guess paper on social media platforms. The student targeted other coaching center operators, hoping to sell the information. This act caused the leaked content to spread rapidly across various digital channels, reaching hundreds of individuals, while while many initially dismissed the shared content as a mere rumor, suspicions grew Importantly after the actual NEET-UG 2026 exam held on 3 May 2026. Students noticed that the questions they had written in their notebooks during Kulkarni's special classes were an exact match with the official exam paper.

Nationwide Raids and Forensic Evidence

The case was officially registered on 12 May 2026, following a formal complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. Since then, the CBI has intensified its investigation, conducting extensive raids across multiple states over the last 24 hours. During these operations, the agency seized several mobile phones, electronic gadgets, and incriminating documents, while all seized items have been sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for detailed forensic and technical analysis. The CBI is currently scrutinizing the digital footprints to establish the exact chain of communication between the mastermind and the beneficiaries.

Arrests and Financial Investigation

So far, the CBI has arrested 7 individuals in connection with the case. These arrests were made from various locations, including Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, and Ahmedabad. The court has granted a 7 day police remand for the arrested suspects to facilitate further interrogation. On top of that, two other accused individuals are being brought to Delhi on transit remand for questioning. The CBI sources have confirmed that they've identified the original source of the Chemistry paper leak and the intermediaries who connected the students to Kulkarni. A comprehensive financial investigation has also been launched to trace the money trail, as the agency believes that millions of rupees were exchanged as part of this fraudulent scheme.