In a major breakthrough in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Professor PV Kulkarni, identifying him as the alleged “kingpin” behind the leak that triggered nationwide outrage and raised fresh questions over the credibility of the National Testing Agency.&nbsp;Kulkarni, a chemistry professor at Dayanand Medical College in Latur, was reportedly part of the committee involved in setting this year’s NEET-UG question paper. He was arrested in Pune as investigators intensified the probe into what officials described as a sophisticated insider-led operation.&nbsp;According to CBI sources, the investigation has, from the very beginning, pointed towards the involvement of insiders linked to the examination process, unlike the 2024 paper leak case, where the NTA had largely escaped allegations of internal compromise.&nbsp;The agency alleged that Kulkarni used his authorised access to the examination paper during the final week of April 2026 and coordinated with others to circulate the leaked material among selected candidates. His alleged associate, Manisha Waghmare, was arrested by the CBI on May 14.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/neet-ug-2026-to-be-fully-online-from-next-year-dharmendra-pradhan-admits-guess-paper-leak-unveils-major-overhaul-cbt-mode-nta-corruption-1778832077492">NEET-UG exam to be fully online from next year: Dharmendra Pradhan admits ‘guess paper’ leak, unveils major overhaul</a>&nbsp;<h2>CBI gets custody of NTA insider&nbsp;</h2>Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday sent accused Dhananjay Lokhande to six days of CBI custody in connection with the case. The agency told the court that Lokhande had received the leaked NEET-UG 2026 examination material from co-accused Manisha Waghmare before allegedly passing it on to another accused, Shubham Madhukar Khairnar.&nbsp;According to the CBI, leaked PDF copies of the question paper were later circulated through Telegram on April 24.&nbsp;The agency sought custodial interrogation to recover digital devices, trace financial transactions and identify possible NTA officials involved in the conspiracy. Special Judge Ajay Gupta granted the remand after hearing the submissions made by the CBI.&nbsp;Five other accused are also currently in seven-day CBI custody and are scheduled to be produced before the court on May 22.<h2>NEET-UG to shift online from next year</h2>Amid the widening controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that NEET-UG examinations will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year.&nbsp;He also confirmed that the re-examination for NEET-UG 2026 will be held on June 21, days after authorities scrapped the May 3 exam following the paper leak scandal that affected over 22 lakh aspirants across the country.&nbsp;The controversy has triggered sharp criticism of the NTA and intensified demands for stricter safeguards in national-level entrance examinations.

The CBI alleged that Kulkarni used his authorised access to the NEET-UG 2026 question paper during the final week of April and worked with others to circulate the leaked material among selected candidates. His alleged associate, Manisha Waghmare, was arrested by the CBI on May 14.

In a major breakthrough in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Professor PV Kulkarni, identifying him as the alleged “kingpin” behind the leak that triggered nationwide outrage and raised fresh questions over the credibility of the National Testing Agency. Kulkarni, a chemistry professor at Dayanand Medical College in Latur, was reportedly part of the committee involved in setting this year’s NEET-UG question paper. He was arrested in Pune as investigators intensified the probe into what officials described as a sophisticated insider-led operation. According to CBI sources, the investigation has, from the very beginning, pointed towards the involvement of insiders linked to the examination process, unlike the 2024 paper leak case, where the NTA had largely escaped allegations of internal compromise. The agency alleged that Kulkarni used his authorised access to the examination paper during the final week of April 2026 and coordinated with others to circulate the leaked material among selected candidates. His alleged associate, Manisha Waghmare, was arrested by the CBI on May 14. Also Read: NEET-UG exam to be fully online from next year: Dharmendra Pradhan admits ‘guess paper’ leak, unveils major overhaul CBI gets custody of NTA insider Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday sent accused Dhananjay Lokhande to six days of CBI custody in connection with the case. The agency told the court that Lokhande had received the leaked NEET-UG 2026 examination material from co-accused Manisha Waghmare before allegedly passing it on to another accused, Shubham Madhukar Khairnar. According to the CBI, leaked PDF copies of the question paper were later circulated through Telegram on April 24. The agency sought custodial interrogation to recover digital devices, trace financial transactions and identify possible NTA officials involved in the conspiracy. Special Judge Ajay Gupta granted the remand after hearing the submissions made by the CBI. Five other accused are also currently in seven-day CBI custody and are scheduled to be produced before the court on May 22. NEET-UG to shift online from next year Amid the widening controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that NEET-UG examinations will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year. He also confirmed that the re-examination for NEET-UG 2026 will be held on June 21, days after authorities scrapped the May 3 exam following the paper leak scandal that affected over 22 lakh aspirants across the country. The controversy has triggered sharp criticism of the NTA and intensified demands for stricter safeguards in national-level entrance examinations.

The CBI alleged that Kulkarni used his authorised access to the NEET-UG 2026 question paper during the final week of April and worked with others to circulate the leaked material among selected candidates. His alleged associate, Manisha Waghmare, was arrested by the CBI on May 14.

NEET-UG paper leak case: CBI arrests ‘kingpin’ chemistry professor from Pune

A 21-year-old youth was arrested in Lucknow on Monday (Feb 23) for killing his father, dismembering his body parts over disagreements on the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET). The youth has been identified as Akshat Pratap Singh and his father as 49-year-old Manvendra Singh. Akshat his parts of &nbsp;his father's body in a blue drum, police said. To mislead the police after the incident, Akshat lodged a missing person complaint but was eventually apprehended by a patrol team. He later confessed that he was fed up of intense pressure from his father to clear the NEET medical entrance exam and pursue a medical career. However, previous incidents involving a theft of jewelry from the home has also surfaced.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/19-year-old-alleges-gang-rape-at-private-villa-party-in-bengaluru-fir-filed-1771850435775">19-year-old alleges gang-rape at private villa party in Bengaluru; FIR filed</a><h2>What the police said?</h2>According to police, Akshat broke down and confessed to shooting his father with a licensed rifle at approximately 4:30 AM on February 20, following a heated argument. He then moved the body from the third floor to an empty room on the ground floor. He allegedly used a saw to dismember the body, hiding the torso in a blue plastic drum and disposing of other parts in a Brezza car near Sadaruna village. Several reports stated that Akshat's minor sister witnessed the dismemberment. Manvendra's wife passed away nine years ago, when his son scored well in class XII, he wanted him to crack the NEET.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-were-you-sitting-here-to-three-women-from-arunachal-pradesh-face-racial-abuse-demand-apology-1771767083209">'Were you sitting here to...': Three women from Arunachal Pradesh face racial abuse; demand apology</a> &nbsp;DCP Central Zone, Vikrant Vir said, “He was in the process of getting rid of the body part when we intervened. His inconsistent statements raised red flags. Strict interrogation led to his confession.” Police said that efforts are underway to gather the full sequence of events. &nbsp;Probe also revealed that Akshat was in charge of a liquor store run by his father and was given Rs 17,000 as a monthly salary, but he was not happy.&nbsp;

A 19-year-old in Lucknow killed his father, a pathology lab owner, after alleged pressure to crack NEET. He dismembered the body, hid it in a drum, and tried to dispose of parts before being caught by police. He later confessed; forensic probe is underway.

A 21-year-old youth was arrested in Lucknow on Monday (Feb 23) for killing his father, dismembering his body parts over disagreements on the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET). The youth has been identified as Akshat Pratap Singh and his father as 49-year-old Manvendra Singh. Akshat his parts of his father's body in a blue drum, police said. To mislead the police after the incident, Akshat lodged a missing person complaint but was eventually apprehended by a patrol team. He later confessed that he was fed up of intense pressure from his father to clear the NEET medical entrance exam and pursue a medical career. However, previous incidents involving a theft of jewelry from the home has also surfaced. Also Read: 19-year-old alleges gang-rape at private villa party in Bengaluru; FIR filed What the police said? According to police, Akshat broke down and confessed to shooting his father with a licensed rifle at approximately 4:30 AM on February 20, following a heated argument. He then moved the body from the third floor to an empty room on the ground floor. He allegedly used a saw to dismember the body, hiding the torso in a blue plastic drum and disposing of other parts in a Brezza car near Sadaruna village. Several reports stated that Akshat's minor sister witnessed the dismemberment. Manvendra's wife passed away nine years ago, when his son scored well in class XII, he wanted him to crack the NEET. Also Read: 'Were you sitting here to...': Three women from Arunachal Pradesh face racial abuse; demand apology DCP Central Zone, Vikrant Vir said, “He was in the process of getting rid of the body part when we intervened. His inconsistent statements raised red flags. Strict interrogation led to his confession.” Police said that efforts are underway to gather the full sequence of events. Probe also revealed that Akshat was in charge of a liquor store run by his father and was given Rs 17,000 as a monthly salary, but he was not happy.

A 19-year-old in Lucknow killed his father, a pathology lab owner, after alleged pressure to crack NEET. He dismembered the body, hid it in a drum, and tried to dispose of parts before being caught by police. He later confessed; forensic probe is underway.

Licensed rifle, blue drum and NEET: Lucknow youth kills father, dismembers his body in chilling murder case

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NEET-UG paper leak case: CBI arrests ‘kingpin’ chemistry professor from Pune

Rifle, blue drum and NEET: Inside chilling murder case in India's Lucknow