CBI Unravels the NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak: Pune Professor Identified as Key Architect
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made a significant breakthrough in its probe into the NEET UG 2026 question paper leak, identifying a Pune-based academician as the primary source of the breach. The development has sent shockwaves through the medical education sector and cast a shadow over the integrity of one of the country’s most competitive entrance examinations.
The Mastermind Behind the Operation
According to the investigative agency, Professor P. V. Kulkarni, a chemistry domain expert originally from Latur, is the central figure in this elaborate conspiracy. Kulkarni had been associated with panels responsible for drafting NEET question papers for several years, which gave him privileged access to highly confidential material. The CBI alleges that he exploited this position of trust to orchestrate the leak, compromising the efforts of over 23 lakh aspirants who had registered for the examination.
Secret Coaching Sessions at Residence
Investigations have revealed that during the final week of April 2026, Kulkarni conducted clandestine coaching classes at his residence in Pune. These sessions were not ordinary tutorial classes—attendees were dictated actual questions, answer options, and their corresponding solutions. The CBI has confirmed that these very questions appeared in the NEET UG examination held on May 3.
A key accomplice in this operation was Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested on May 14. Waghmare played a crucial role in mobilizing students for these secret sessions. The agency has established that students were charged substantial sums—running into several lakh rupees—for the privilege of attending these classes. Students reportedly transcribed the questions in their notebooks, and these were later found to match the actual examination paper with remarkable precision.
The Expanding Network of the Leak
Once the paper was compromised, it moved through a well-orchestrated chain of individuals. The CBI’s investigation has traced the following distribution network:
- Manisha Waghmare passed the paper to Dhananjay Lokhande
- Lokhande subsequently handed it over to Shubham Khairnar from Nashik
- Khairnar then forwarded it to Yash Yadav, who disseminated it to multiple other individuals
The agency has also made arrests in Jaipur, where Mangilal Bheel, Vikas Bheel, and Dinesh Bheel were taken into custody. Yash Yadav was apprehended in Gurugram, while Shubham Khairnar was arrested in Nashik.
Commercial Transaction Worth Millions
Financial motives drove this elaborate scheme. The investigation uncovered that in April, Shubham Khairnar informed Yash Yadav that Mangilal Bheel was willing to purchase the leaked question paper for his younger son. A deal was struck at a price ranging between 10 to 12 lakh rupees.
To ensure the buyer could secure admission to a medical college, Khairnar shared approximately 500 to 600 questions with Yadav. This extensive sharing was designed to guarantee a score high enough to secure a seat. Officials have noted that Mangilal Bheel not only provided the paper to his son but also distributed it among relatives.
Further revelations indicate that Yash Yadav had instructed Vikas Bheel to recover the money spent by selling the questions to other NEET aspirants, thereby expanding the reach of the leak even further.
Chronology of Events: How the Leak Unfolded
The sequence of events leading to the cancellation of the examination and the subsequent arrests is complex. Here is a detailed timeline of how the situation developed:
- The NEET UG examination was conducted on May 3, 2026.
- Prior to the exam, a “guess paper” began circulating on WhatsApp groups and was later distributed as photocopies in various locations.
- On the day of the examination itself, some students in Sikar reported the discrepancy.
- On May 7, the National Testing Agency (NTA) received formal information about the irregularity.
- By May 8, the matter was escalated to central agencies for independent investigation.
- The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan took over the initial investigation under the leadership of ADG Vishal Bansal.
- The SOG conducted extensive searches and made several arrests of suspects.
- Preliminary findings confirmed that the guess paper had been publicly circulated.
- The NTA officially cancelled the examination on May 12.
- The case was transferred to the CBI, which registered an FIR and launched its own investigation.
- On May 14, Manisha Waghmare and Dhananjay Lokhande were arrested.
- Multiple other accused were apprehended from Jaipur, Gurugram, and Nashik.
- Nationwide raids were conducted, leading to the seizure of documents and digital devices.
- Chats, leaked question papers, and other evidence were recovered from digital devices.
- On May 16, the CBI arrested the alleged mastermind, P. V. Kulkarni.
Detailed Breakdown of the Conspiracy
The investigation has pieced together a comprehensive picture of how the leak was executed. Kulkarni, leveraging his years of association with NEET paper-setting panels, allegedly compiled the confidential questions in the last week of April 2026. He then organized the special coaching sessions at his Pune residence, where students were dictated questions, options, and answers.
Manisha Waghmare’s role was to bring students to these sessions, for which they paid hefty fees. The students wrote down the questions in their notebooks—notes that would later serve as evidence when matched against the actual paper.
From Waghmare, the paper went to Lokhande, then to Khairnar, and finally to Yadav, who acted as a distributor. Mangilal Bheel negotiated the purchase of the leaked paper for his son, with the transaction finalized at 10–12 lakh rupees. The 500–600 shared questions were intended to secure a top score. Bheel then circulated the material among relatives. Yadav also suggested that Bheel sell the questions to other candidates to recoup the investment.
Digital Evidence Collected
Over the past 24 hours, the CBI has conducted coordinated raids across multiple locations in the country. The agency has seized a substantial amount of documentary evidence, electronic gadgets, and mobile phones. Preliminary examination of these digital devices has revealed alleged chat conversations, copies of the leaked question paper, and other electronic evidence. Forensic analysis of these devices is currently underway, with investigators hoping to recover deleted data that could further strengthen the case.
Scope of the Examination
The NEET UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3 at 551 centers across India and 14 centers overseas. Approximately 23 lakh candidates had registered for the test, making it one of the largest medical entrance examinations in the world.
The NTA reported receiving information about the alleged irregularity on the evening of May 7. Within 24 hours, the matter was handed over to central agencies for independent investigation and necessary action. The cancellation of the examination has left lakhs of students in limbo, with the NTA yet to announce a revised schedule for re-examination.
As the CBI continues its deep dive into this case, more arrests and revelations are anticipated. The agency’s focus remains on uncovering every link in the chain and ensuring that all those responsible for compromising the integrity of this crucial examination are brought to justice. The forensic examination of seized devices is expected to provide additional leads and potentially implicate more individuals in this widespread conspiracy.
