India temporarily blocks access to Telegram over exam fraud concerns

In a decisive move to combat exam fraud, India has ordered a temporary ban on Telegram until June 22. This action comes as concerns grow over the platform being exploited by scammers targeting students ahead of the re-test for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET (UG)), one of the country’s largest medical entrance exams. The National Testing Agency, which oversees the NEET, announced the ban to prevent cheating networks from utilizing Telegram to distribute fake exam papers and disseminate misinformation ahead of the crucial June 21 re-test. The directive includes a nationwide prohibition on Telegram until a day after the exam, alongside a request for the platform to disable its message-editing feature until June 30. Authorities argue that this feature has been misused to alter messages and produce fabricated evidence of leaked exam papers post-examination. “This action is intended to maintain public order and respond to the organized misuse of Telegram by cheating syndicates aiming to deceive candidates preparing for the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination,” stated the agency. The order was enacted under Section 69A of India’s Information Technology Act, which provides the legal framework for blocking online content and services. However, the ban has sparked criticism from digital rights organizations. The Internet Freedom Foundation labeled the restrictions as a “disproportionate” measure against exam fraud and questioned the legality of blocking an entire platform rather than targeting specific harmful content. “Shutting down Telegram is merely a short-term solution and an excessive response to the issue of exam fraud,” the group commented. This re-test follows a previous scandal involving a leak of the NEET (UG) exam paper, which led to a federal investigation and heightened scrutiny of the examination system. In light of these events, Indian authorities have been working to enhance security measures surrounding national tests. As of the latest updates, Telegram was still accessible in India, and its message-editing feature appeared to be operational. Both Telegram and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology have yet to provide a response to the situation.