India has temporarily blocked the messaging app Telegram across the country until June 22, invoking emergency provisions under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, as authorities scramble to prevent organised cheating networks from disrupting the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21.
Why Telegram Was Blocked
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) acted on a direct recommendation from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which identified Telegram as the primary platform used by organised cheating rackets. The NTA described the ban as a "measure of last resort" after discovering that scammers had exploited Telegram message-editing feature to fabricate false paper leak evidence.
After an exam was over, channel administrators would retroactively edit old messages and insert real question papers while retaining original timestamps. These modified posts were then circulated as proof that papers had been pre-leaked, fueling panic among students and parents.
Pavel Durov Responds
Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov criticised the Indian government decision, arguing that it affects millions of ordinary users without addressing the underlying problem. "Leaks just moved to other apps," Durov said, pointing to encrypted alternatives like Signal and WhatsApp that remain accessible.
Cybersecurity researcher Nisarga Adhikary from IIT-K C3iHub echoed the concern, noting that Telegram architecture makes total blocks nearly impossible — users can easily bypass restrictions using proxies and VPNs.
What Is Blocked and For How Long
The ban affects both the Telegram app and web versions. Indian telecom operators have blocked access at the network level, while Apple and Google have delisted the app from their Indian app stores. Additionally, Telegram message-editing feature has been disabled in India until June 30 — a targeted measure to prevent the timestamp manipulation trick.
The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) described the curbs as a "band-aid solution" and "disproportionate," calling the nationwide measure a blunt response that raises constitutional concerns.
India Impact
Telegram has over 120 million users in India, making it one of the country most popular messaging platforms. The ban affects not just students but also businesses, news channels, and community groups that rely on the platform. The NEET-UG re-examination on June 21 will see approximately 2.4 million students appear for the medical entrance test.
Sources: Times of India, NDTV, Indian Express, NTA, IFF
