Political Firestorm Erupts Over Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Re-Exam
The central government’s decision to temporarily restrict access to the Telegram messaging app ahead of the NEET re-examination has ignited a political controversy. Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, has sharply criticized the move, calling it a superficial measure that fails to address the root causes of paper leaks.
In a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday, Kejriwal asserted that the government lacks any genuine commitment to preventing question paper leaks. He argued that such actions are merely cosmetic and do not tackle the underlying issues plaguing the examination system.
Kejriwal Questions the Logic Behind the Ban
Kejriwal posed a pointed question to the government: will shutting down Telegram actually stop question papers from being leaked? He dismissed the recent measures, which included transporting exam papers via military aircraft, as ineffective against the sophisticated networks involved in such malpractices.
He further questioned the government’s rationale, stating that if paper leaks are indeed a grave concern, a simple ban on a single platform cannot possibly be the solution. According to him, the problem is far more extensive and operates at a highly organized level that requires a more comprehensive strategy.
Official Justification for the Temporary Restriction
The National Testing Agency (NTA) confirmed on Tuesday that it had imposed a temporary ban on Telegram. The agency stated that this decision was made to ensure the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, scheduled for June 21st, is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
Abhishek Singh, the Director General of the NTA, explained that the restriction, which remains in effect until June 22nd, is part of a broader effort to curb cheating, the spread of misinformation, and alleged fraudulent activities. The agency maintains that the move is a necessary step to protect the integrity of the examination process.
Directives Issued to Tech Giants
As part of the government’s directive, both Google and Apple have been instructed to remove the Telegram app from their respective app stores until June 22nd. This action is intended to severely limit the platform’s usage during the critical examination period, thereby reducing the potential for question papers or answers to be circulated online.
Background: Why the Original Exam Was Cancelled
The controversy stems from the cancellation of the original NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was held on May 3rd. Following allegations of irregularities and significant disruptions during the test, the NTA made the decision to cancel it on May 12th.
This last-minute cancellation forced millions of aspiring medical students to restart their preparation for the re-exam, creating a prolonged period of uncertainty and stress for candidates across the country. The decision to ban Telegram has now added another layer of complexity and debate to an already contentious situation.
