Indian Government Restricts Telegram Access Ahead of NEET-UG Re-examination

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), acting on the recommendations of the Ministry of Education and national testing authorities, implemented a temporary nationwide restriction on the messaging application Telegram starting June 17, 2026. This unprecedented step was taken as a preemptive measure ahead of the NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Undergraduate) re-examination, which is scheduled for June 21, 2026.

Context of the Restriction

The NEET-UG exams have been plagued by allegations of paper leaks and organized cheating syndicates in recent years. Investigative agencies previously identified encrypted messaging platforms, particularly Telegram with its large anonymous broadcast channels, as the primary medium used by illicit networks to distribute leaked question papers and answer keys. By temporarily throttling access to the app, authorities aim to disrupt these networks and ensure the integrity of the crucial medical entrance exam.

Reactions and Compliance

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across India have complied with the government directive, leading to widespread outages of the app on mobile and broadband networks. While the move has been praised by many anxious parents and students demanding a fair testing environment, digital rights activists have raised concerns about the growing use of broad internet platform restrictions as an administrative tool. The restriction is expected to be lifted shortly after the conclusion of the exam on June 21.