Telegram Access Temporarily Restricted in India for NEET Re-Exam

The Indian government has issued an order to temporarily restrict access to the Telegram messaging app in India until June 22, 2026. This decision was made following recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure the integrity of the NEET-UG re-exam scheduled for June 21. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) implemented the restriction under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Additionally, Telegram has been directed to disable its message edit feature until June 30, preventing users from modifying previously sent messages. According to NTA, this measure aims to curb the creation of fake evidence related to paper leaks, which has been a concern during examinations. The agency highlighted instances where Telegram channels were used to mislead candidates and their families with false claims of leaked papers.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has also taken action by shutting down several Telegram channels, groups, and bots involved in fraudulent activities. State police agencies in Bihar and Gujarat have conducted investigations into such scams, uncovering significant financial transactions and fraudulent operations.

NTA acknowledged the inconvenience caused to regular Telegram users but emphasized the necessity of these measures during the examination period. The agency urged candidates and their families to rely only on official NTA channels for accurate information and report any suspicious activities to the national cybercrime helpline or portal.

Key Points
- Telegram access restricted in India until June 22, 2026, for NEET-UG re-exam integrity.
- Message edit feature disabled on Telegram until June 30 to prevent fake evidence creation.
- I4C and state police agencies shut down fraudulent Telegram channels and groups.
- NEET-UG re-exam scheduled for June 21; candidates advised to follow official NTA updates.
- NTA urged reporting of suspicious activities to cybercrime helpline 1930 or portal.