It was supposed to be just another chapter in the inspiring journey of a small-town teacher who built a coaching empire. Instead, it has turned into one of the most painful headlines in this year’s NEET saga.
On Sunday evening, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar — affectionately known as “M Sir” among thousands of NEET and JEE aspirants — from his residence in Latur, Maharashtra. He is the founder and director of Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC), a well-known coaching network that helped countless students chase their doctor dreams.
According to the CBI, Motegaonkar was an “active member of an organised gang” involved in leaking and circulating the NEET-UG 2026 Chemistry paper. Investigators claim a copy of the leaked question paper was recovered from his mobile phone during searches. He allegedly received it around April 23 — more than a week before the May 3 exam — and shared it further.
This makes him the 10th arrest in the widening probe that has already shaken the National Testing Agency and the entire coaching industry.
Who is M Sir?
For students in Maharashtra, Shivraj Motegaonkar wasn’t just another teacher. The M.Sc. gold medalist rose from humble beginnings to create a multi-branch coaching empire focused on conceptual clarity and motivational guidance. RCC grew into a major name with nine centres, a strong YouTube presence, and a reputation for producing medical college successes. Many saw him as a mentor who genuinely cared.
That’s what makes this news particularly heartbreaking for his students and their families. One day you’re learning chemical bonding from your favourite sir; the next, you’re reading that he’s in CBI custody.
The Bigger Picture
The NEET-UG 2026 exam has been mired in controversy from the start. After widespread reports of leaks and irregularities, the exam was eventually cancelled and a re-test scheduled. The CBI’s investigation has traced connections from paper-setters to coaching networks, exposing how deep the alleged racket may run.
Motegaonkar’s arrest has once again put the spotlight on the intense, high-stakes world of entrance exam coaching — where lakhs of rupees, sleepless nights, and shattered dreams collide.
As the probe continues and he remains in CBI custody, many are left wondering how someone who built his career helping students could allegedly betray that very trust.
For now, the dreams of thousands of honest aspirants hang in the balance once more — waiting for answers, accountability, and hopefully, a fairer system ahead.