New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has temporarily blocked access to Telegram across India until June 22 and directed the messaging platform to disable its message-editing feature in the country until June 30, ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, The Indian Express reported.
The action follows recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which cited the widespread use of Telegram channels and groups by cheating networks to target candidates appearing for the re-test. Authorities said the restrictions were imposed to prevent fraud, misinformation and attempts to manipulate public perception regarding the examination process.
Under the order issued under provisions of the Information Technology Act, access to Telegram has been restricted during the period covering the re-examination and its immediate aftermath. The separate directive on message editing aims to prevent the alteration of previously posted content that could be used to create false claims of question paper leaks after the examination.
The NTA said the decision was taken after other enforcement measures failed to adequately address the problem. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, had been coordinating efforts with the NTA and state police forces, including those in Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan, to identify and remove fraudulent Telegram channels, groups and automated accounts.
Investigators found numerous channels claiming to provide access to the NEET re-examination question paper in exchange for money. These groups allegedly demanded payments ranging from a few thousand rupees to several lakh rupees from students and their families.
Authorities maintain that the temporary restrictions are intended to safeguard the integrity of the examination and protect candidates from organised online fraud ahead of the nationwide re-test.