The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested the main accused in the alleged paper leak in the 2026 undergraduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, said the Union government on Friday.
In a press release, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions identified the alleged “kingpin” as PV Kulkarni, a chemistry lecturer involved in the examination process on behalf of the National Testing Agency.
Kulkarni, who is from Maharashtra's Latur, was arrested in Pune, it added.
On Tuesday, the National Testing Agency, which conducts the exam, cancelled the 2026 NEET-UG following allegations of a paper leak. The exam is conducted for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India.
This year, more than 22 lakh candidates had appeared for the test.
The CBI filed a first information report in the matter based on a complaint by the Union Ministry of Education. The central agency has arrested at least seven persons till now and conducted searches at several locations in the country.
On Friday, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions claimed that Kulkarni had access to the question papers.
“During the last week of April 2026, he allegedly mobilised students with the help of another accused, Ms Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested by CBI on 14.05.2026, and conducted special coaching classes for these students at his residence...
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