India Temporarily Blocks Telegram Ahead of Medical Exam Retake
India has directed a temporary block of the Telegram messaging app and disabled its message-editing feature until late June. The restrictions follow allegations that cheating networks used the platform to sell access to the NEET-UG medical entrance exam paper.
indiatoday.intoday.inIndia has temporarily restricted access to the Telegram messaging app and disabled its message-editing feature ahead of the rescheduled NEET-UG medical entrance exam. The National Testing Agency said the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered the measures until 22 June for the app block and until 30 June for the editing feature.
Officials cited the platform's use by organized groups offering purported exam papers for payment. The testing agency added that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre removed multiple Telegram channels, groups, and bots that advertised fraudulent services.
It stated that no actual exam paper exists outside the secured examination process.
Background on the exam Nearly 2.28 million candidates sat for the original NEET-UG exam on 3 May across more than 5,000 centers. The National Testing Agency later canceled those results after reports of a paper leak prompted widespread protests. The Central Bureau of Investigation is handling the case, and authorities have made more than a dozen arrests.
The agency said the new restrictions respond to organized attempts to defraud candidates through the messaging service. The testing agency acknowledged that the block would affect users who rely on Telegram for legitimate educational and professional communication.
It expressed regret for any inconvenience caused. Internet users and rights groups have described the restrictions as a temporary measure that does not address leaks originating inside the education system or supply chain.
