The Indian government has temporarily blocked access to Telegram until June 22, citing concerns that the messaging platform was being used by organized groups to defraud candidates appearing for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21. The restriction was imposed following recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The action was taken under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act and is intended to prevent the circulation of misleading content, fake question papers, and exam-related fraud during the high-stakes medical entrance examination. Authorities have also ordered restrictions on certain Telegram features, including message editing, beyond the temporary block period.
Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov criticized the decision, arguing that the move affects more than 150 million users in India while failing to stop the actual perpetrators. He claimed that those involved in leaks had simply shifted to other platforms.
The NTA has defended the restriction, stating that fraudsters were exploiting Telegram to spread misinformation and deceive students ahead of the re-exam. Officials maintain that the temporary measure is necessary to protect the integrity of the examination process.
The decision has sparked debate over the balance between exam security and digital freedom, with supporters calling it a necessary safeguard and critics describing it as a disproportionate response that impacts millions of legitimate users.
