Second NTA 'Insider' Under Scanner: Biology Lecturer Arrested by CBI In NEET UG 2026 Leak

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Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made another breakthrough in the NEET 2026 paper leak case, arresting a woman biology lecturer who was part of the National Testing Agency (NTA) panel that prepared the exam paper. Officials said the lecturer is currently being interrogated as investigators suspect her possible involvement in the alleged racket behind the leak of the NEET UG question paper.The development marks the second instance of a member from the NTA panel coming under the scanner in the ongoing probe.

A day earlier, the CBI arrested chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni, whom the agency has described as the alleged “kingpin” of the paper leak operation.The agency said it is investigating a larger conspiracy involving an insider network and possible involvement of officials associated with the National Testing Agency in the leak of the UG NEET examination paper.

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According to the CBI, Pune-based Kulkarni first tried to sell the leaked paper locally but later expanded his network after failing to convince buyers about the authenticity of the questions.

“In the last week of April, Kulkarni mobilised students, with the help of another accused named Manisha Waghmare, and conducted special coaching classes for them at his residence in Pune,” a CBI spokesperson said.Investigators alleged that Kulkarni dictated the questions along with multiple-choice options and correct answers during these sessions. “The questions were handwritten by students in their notebooks and have tallied exactly with the actual question paper of the exam held on May 3,” the agency added.Kulkarni was the eighth person arrested in the case. Co-accused Manisha Waghmare, who allegedly acted as an intermediary for Dhananjay Lokhande, had earlier been arrested along with six others. The CBI told a Delhi court that Lokhande’s custodial interrogation was necessary to identify “NTA officials involved in the paper leak”.