India Bans Telegram Over NEET Exam Leak Fears

India has temporarily blocked the popular messaging app Telegram to curb the possibility of cheating ahead of a crucial medical entrance exam.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET‑UG) is set to be retaken on 21 June after the May session was cancelled over allegations of a paper leak.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) welcomed the move, saying it was aimed at stopping the organised use of Telegram by cheating rings that could defraud candidates.

Internet users and digital rights activists slammed the ban, calling it a superficial solution that will punish ordinary users while the deeper problem of exam leaks remains unresolved.

Telegram has not yet issued a statement about the government’s directive to restrict access in India until 22 June and to disable message editing from 30 June.

The agency reported that a substantial number of Telegram channels, groups and bots advertising fraudulent services were taken down by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.

These channels allegedly promised candidates paper access for large fees, which officials say does not exist outside the secured exam chain.

The NTA also apologized for the inconvenience caused to users who rely on Telegram for legitimate personal, educational and professional communication.

The Internet Freedom Foundation criticised the ban as unconstitutional and ineffective, arguing that direct leaks within the education system would still occur.

The incident joins a series of NEET controversies, including prior fraud allegations and a separate scandal over marking irregularities in a school‑leaving exam.