India bans Telegram amid NEET paper leak row

India has temporarily restricted access to the messaging app Telegram amid concerns that it was

NEW DELHI: India has temporarily restricted access to the messaging app Telegram amid concerns that it was being used by cheating networks in connection with a major medical entrance exam controversy.

The decision comes just days before the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test–Undergraduate (NEET-UG) is scheduled to be retaken on June 21 after the original exam in May was cancelled over alleged paper leak reports.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exam, welcomed the move. It said the action was taken due to the “organised use of the platform by cheating groups” attempting to defraud candidates.

Officials said the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology directed Telegram to limit access in India until June 22. They also asked the platform to disable its message-editing feature until June 30, claiming it was being misused to fabricate evidence of leaked papers.

Authorities further stated that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre had shut down several Telegram channels, groups, and bots allegedly involved in selling or promoting fake exam papers. According to officials, some operators were demanding large sums of money from students in exchange for supposed access to exam materials.

The NEET controversy has already sparked widespread unrest in India. The exam, taken by over 2.2 million students in May across thousands of centres, was cancelled after allegations of irregularities and a suspected paper leak.

Investigations into the case are ongoing, with the Central Bureau of Investigation handling the probe. Several arrests have already been made in connection with the scandal.

The issue has also fueled political protests, with demonstrators calling for accountability and resignation of education authorities following repeated exam controversies.

However, the move to block Telegram has drawn criticism from digital rights groups. The Internet Freedom Foundation called the decision “reactive and ineffective,” arguing that it punishes ordinary users rather than addressing the root causes of exam fraud.

The group also warned that students rely heavily on Telegram for study groups and academic communication, especially during exam preparation periods, making the timing of the restriction particularly disruptive.

Telegram has not yet issued an official response to the government action.