Who Is Shivraj Motegaonkar, aka ‘M Sir’ at the Centre of NEET 2026 Paper Leak Case

Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, widely known as "M Sir" in Maharashtra’s coaching circles, has emerged as a key figure in the ongoing NEET UG 2026 paper leak investigation, even as his journey from a modest background to building a major coaching enterprise draws attention.

A special court in Delhi on Monday granted nine days of custody of Motegaonkar to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Special CBI Judge Ajay Gupta allowed the agency’s plea, which had sought 10 days of custody, after Motegaonkar was arrested in Pune in connection with the case.

While granting the custody, the court said that the custody of accused Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar has been sought in order to identify and apprehend the other co-accused persons involved in the offence and also to recover and analyse the digital devices and digital evidences and communication records, as well as the financial trail connected to the NEET 2026 examination and paper leak network.

The CBI has been questioning Motegaonkar for several days and has alleged that he is actively involved in the conspiracy of leakage of the chemistry exam paper before the NEET UG Exam 2026.

Motegaonkar is a chemistry teacher from Latur and the founder of RCC Classes, also known as Renukai Career Center, which has grown into one of Maharashtra’s largest coaching brands for NEET, JEE, and CET aspirants.

How Did Shivraj Motegaonkar Build RCC Classes into a Major Coaching Brand?

According to NDTV, he comes from a farming family in Latur and began his teaching career by offering private tuitions, often cycling across the city to reach students. In the late 1990s, he started coaching in a rented room with around ten students.

In the early years, he remained closely involved in every aspect of the institute. He personally taught chemistry, prepared handwritten notes, and handled small batches of students for Classes 11 and 12, as well as entrance exam aspirants.

Over the next two decades, RCC Classes expanded alongside the “Latur Pattern,” which became widely recognised in Maharashtra for producing toppers in competitive examinations.

Today, the institute operates multiple centres in cities including Latur, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Solapur, and Kolhapur, with estimates suggesting that around 40,000 students enrol annually.

RCC Classes has also built a strong digital presence, with more than 66,000 followers on Instagram and active platforms across YouTube, WhatsApp, and its own app on the Play Store. The institute is known for its chemistry notes, test series, and structured teaching approach.

Initially focused on concept-based learning and affordable fees, RCC later expanded its offerings to include digital learning, statewide test series, mentorship programmes, and app-based study materials.

Motegaonkar, an M.Sc gold medallist in Chemistry, is widely regarded as a leading educator in the field.

However, his reputation is now under scrutiny amid alleged links with retired chemistry professor PV Kulkarni, who has been arrested in the NEET paper leak case. Kulkarni had reportedly taught at RCC in the past, and investigators are examining the nature of their professional association and its relevance to the alleged leak.

(With inputs from ANI)