CBI Nabs Key Suspect in 2026 NEET-UG Exam Leak Scandal

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made a significant breakthrough in the alleged paper leak case concerning the 2026 undergraduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG). The agency apprehended the main suspect, identified as PV Kulkarni, a chemistry lecturer associated with the examination administration on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA). His arrest, which took place in Pune, was announced by the Union government on Friday.

Following serious allegations of malpractice, the NTA took the unprecedented step of cancelling the NEET-UG exam, which is crucial for admissions into undergraduate medical programs across India. This year, over 22 lakh students had registered to take the exam, making its integrity paramount to prospective medical students.

The investigation commenced after a formal complaint lodged by the Union Ministry of Education, prompting the CBI to file a first information report (FIR). So far, the agency has detained at least seven individuals in connection with the case and has executed search operations at multiple sites across the country. The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions has revealed that Kulkarni had unauthorized access to the exam question papers.

Reports indicate that Kulkarni allegedly orchestrated a scheme during the last week of April 2026, mobilizing students through his accomplice, Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested by the CBI earlier this month. Together, they held special coaching sessions at Kulkarni’s residence, providing students with an unfair advantage by allegedly disclosing leaked exam content.

This scandal not only raises serious questions about the integrity of the NEET examination process but also highlights the broader issues of corruption within the educational system in India. As the CBI continues its investigation, parents and students alike are left grappling with the implications of this incident on the future of medical education in the country.

Source: scroll.in