The CBI has informed a special court that a Latur-based coaching owner allegedly paid ₹5 lakh to obtain NEET 2026 chemistry exam questions. This development follows the cancellation of the May 3 exam and the arrest of 13 individuals involved in the conspiracy. Investors and stakeholders are tracking the ongoing legal proceedings as the agency continues its probe into the National Testing Agency's exam security measures.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted new evidence to a special court detailing the alleged corruption behind the NEET (UG) 2026 examination paper leak. Central to the investigation is Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, the owner of a coaching center in Latur, Maharashtra, who is accused of paying a bribe of ₹5 lakh to gain access to chemistry question sets ahead of the scheduled exam.
Evidence and Data Recovery
According to the agency’s latest filings, the investigation recovered a mobile phone from the accused containing 132 chemistry questions across 36 images. Forensic analysis confirmed that 111 of these questions matched the official master set used by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the May 3 examination. Notably, metadata recovered from these digital files suggests that the questions were photographed approximately 10 days before the exam took place.
Investigators also allege that the questions were sourced through PV Kulkarni, a member of the NTA panel tasked with setting the exam paper. The CBI claims that handwritten notes derived from these questions were prepared at Kulkarni’s coaching classes, where the son of the accused was reportedly a student. The agency has stated that the bribe money was recovered following information provided by a co-accused, Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure.
Impact on Exam Integrity and Legal Status
Following the widespread allegations of the paper leak, the May 3 NEET (UG) 2026 examination was officially canceled. A re-examination was successfully conducted on June 21 to ensure the integrity of the selection process for medical admissions. To date, the CBI has arrested 13 individuals in connection with the case, all of whom remain in judicial custody as the investigation progresses.
For stakeholders and observers, the key focus remains on the broader implications for the NTA’s administrative and security protocols. While the re-examination has been concluded, the legal process concerning the conspiracy and the involvement of panel members is ongoing. Market participants and education sector observers will likely monitor future court hearings for further details regarding institutional accountability and any potential changes to the testing agency's operational framework.