Latur retd professor tried to sell NEET question paper, held by CBI

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The probe into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case revealed that PV Kulkarni, a retired professor from Latur who was arrested by CBI on Friday, had tried to sell the question paper locally before the exam but initially failed as few believed the highly competitive test could be compromised, investigators said.

CBI arrested Kulkarni, former head of the chemistry department at a private college in Latur, after questioning him in connection with the case. Officials said Kulkarni had been associated with the the NEET system for several years and part of panels involved in setting the chemistry paper.



Investigators said Kulkarni allegedly conducted special sessions in the last week of April, during which questions, answer options and solutions matching the final NEET-UG paper were shared with select students. The CBI suspects that some candidates paid substantial amounts to access the material ahead of the examination held on May 3.

According to officials, Kulkarni first attempted to sell the paper locally but turned to a wider network after failing to convince buyers of its authenticity. He is suspected to have used contacts developed through a Pune-based woman accused to reach intermediaries and potential candidates.

The probe has also brought coaching institutes under scrutiny. The CBI questioned director of a Latur-based coaching centre having units across Maharashtra. Officials conducted searches at his residence, seized his cellphone and issued a notice for further questioning at the agency’s Pune office.

Investigators said the leaked questions were circulated through select coaching networks under the guise of “mock tests” conducted shortly before the examination. Sources said the director of the coaching centre had previously come under the CBI’s scanner and was questioned earlier during a visit to Pune.

Kulkarni, who retired in June 2022 after over three decades in academia, is believed to be a key link in the alleged leak. Another CBI team remains in Latur to identify beneficiaries and trace the broader network involved.

The NEET-UG 2026 exam, conducted on May 3 for around 23 lakh candidates across India and abroad, came under scrutiny after allegations of malpractice surfaced days later, prompting govt to hand over the probe to the CBI.