India Blocks Telegram Temporarily Ahead of NEET Re-Exam
The Indian government has announced a temporary ban on the messaging platform Telegram, effective until June 22, 2026. This decision comes just days before the scheduled NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination on June 21. Authorities aim to safeguard the integrity and fairness of one of the country’s most critical medical entrance exams.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued directives to suspend Telegram’s services across India. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the NEET exam, has welcomed this move. Officials believe it will curb the spread of rumors, false paper-leak claims, and misinformation that could undermine the examination process.
Why Telegram Was Targeted for the NEET Ban
Investigations by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), state police forces, and other agencies revealed widespread misuse of Telegram channels, groups, and bots. These digital tools were being used to circulate fake claims about access to the NEET-UG re-exam question paper. Organized gangs were reportedly demanding sums ranging from thousands to lakhs of rupees from students and parents in exchange for fraudulent papers.
Fake channels with names like “PAPER LEAKED DETT,” “Re-NEET 2026,” and “Private Mafia” were actively spreading rumors that the question paper had been leaked before the exam. Despite earlier efforts to shut down suspicious channels and bots, the problem persisted. This led the government to invoke Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to block the entire app temporarily.
The ban will remain in place until June 22, after the re-examination concludes. The NTA has clarified that this is a time-bound measure, focused solely on protecting the exam’s credibility.
Edit Feature Disabled Until June 30
In addition to the temporary block, the government has instructed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30, 2026. Cybercriminals had been exploiting this feature to alter old messages after the exam, inserting the real question paper into pre-existing chats. By doing so, they could falsely claim the paper was leaked before the exam, using the original timestamp as misleading evidence.
Why Telegram Faces Scrutiny Worldwide
Telegram is no stranger to controversy. The platform’s technical features, while popular among users, also make it a magnet for illegal activities. Here is a closer look at the reasons behind its frequent clashes with governments.
Easy Account Creation
Setting up a Telegram account is remarkably simple. Virtual or temporary mobile numbers available in many countries allow users to create new accounts anonymously. This ease of access makes it difficult for authorities to track malicious actors.
Large Groups and Channels
Telegram supports groups and channels that can host thousands of members. This allows information—whether accurate or misleading—to spread rapidly to a massive audience. For scam artists and rumor-mongers, it is an efficient tool.
Bots and Automation
The platform’s bots and automation features enable cybercriminals to send automatic messages, respond to queries, and reach large numbers of people with minimal effort. This scalability is a key factor in the rise of phishing scams and fraudulent schemes on Telegram.
Message Editing Capabilities
As seen in the NEET case, the ability to edit messages after they are sent can be weaponized. Fraudsters modify old messages to create false timestamps, making it appear as though a paper leak occurred before the exam.
Countries Where Telegram Is Banned or Restricted
Telegram’s troubled relationship with governments is not unique to India. The app faces partial or complete bans in several nations due to security concerns, content moderation failures, and non-compliance with local laws.
Complete Bans
- China: Banned since July 2015 due to anti-government activities and criticism of the state.
- Cuba: Blocked since July 2021 to prevent the spread of information during anti-government protests.
- Iran: Fully blocked on May 1, 2018, after repeated cycles of restrictions and lifts.
- Nepal: Banned on July 18, 2025, citing concerns over fraud and money laundering.
- Pakistan: Blocked since November 2017 following directives from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
- Somalia: Banned since August 2023 due to misuse by terrorist groups and the spread of hateful content.
- Thailand: Ordered blocked in October 2020 during protests, as demonstrators used the app to organize.
- Vietnam: Operations suspended from May 21, 2025, for failing to remove illegal and harmful content.
- Russia: After slowing the app in February 2026, the Russian government effectively blocked Telegram again in early April 2026.
Partial or Temporary Restrictions
- Brazil: Suspended for a few days in 2022 and 2023 for non-cooperation in investigations into fake news and neo-Nazi activities. The bans were lifted after fines were imposed.
- Kenya: Temporarily blocked Telegram for a few weeks in November 2023 and again in November 2024 to prevent paper leaks and cheating during national exams.
- France: Banned for all government ministers and employees since November 2023 due to data security concerns.
- Germany and Czech Republic: Not fully banned, but specific Telegram channels spreading hate speech or Russian propaganda have been blocked.
- Azerbaijan: Temporarily banned during the 2020 war, with the restriction later lifted.
Other nations, including Hong Kong, Belarus, Indonesia, Iraq, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Ukraine, have also taken actions such as blocking specific channels, restricting government use, or imposing short-term bans.
Core Reasons Behind Telegram’s Global Controversies
Telegram’s popularity stems from its strong privacy features, but these same features often put it at odds with governments. Here are the primary reasons for its contentious reputation.
Refusal to Share User Data
Telegram’s commitment to privacy is a double-edged sword. The app protects private chats with encryption and refuses to hand over user data or encryption keys to governments. This has led to severe actions in countries like Russia and Iran, where security agencies demanded access to chat data for investigations.
Political Dissent and Censorship
In nations with strict internet controls, Telegram often becomes a hub for activists and protesters. China has banned it entirely under its stringent internet regulations. Iran blocked the app after it was used to organize nationwide demonstrations against the government.
Illegal Activities and Exam Fraud
The platform’s large public groups and channels, which receive minimal oversight, are frequently exploited for digital fraud, money laundering, and exam paper leaks. In India, Telegram came under scrutiny when gangs used it to leak competitive exam papers and facilitate cheating, forcing the government to impose restrictions.
Violation of Local Laws
Some countries ban Telegram simply because it fails to register with local telecom authorities. Nepal, for instance, blocked the app over fraud and money laundering allegations, lifting the ban only after the company applied for official registration.
Expert Warnings on Telegram’s Security Risks
Cybersecurity experts have repeatedly highlighted serious threats associated with Telegram. These include zero-click vulnerabilities, malware risks from automatic downloads, and large-scale data theft.
Malware and EvilVideo Exploits
Researchers from ESET uncovered flaws like the EvilVideo exploit in Telegram. Hackers use these to send malicious files disguised as 30-second videos. When users open the chat, the file automatically downloads and installs malware on their device.
Data Leaks and Privacy Gaps
Unlike popular belief, Telegram does not use end-to-end encryption by default. This feature is only available in secret chats. Additionally, the platform has experienced data leaks and large-scale account scraping incidents, raising concerns about user privacy.
Financial Scams and Frauds
Cryptocurrency scams, phishing attacks, and fake bots have surged on Telegram. Cybercriminals lure victims with promises of lucrative investments or cheap online courses, only to steal their money.
Dark Web and Criminal Networks
Security agencies view Telegram’s strong encryption and easy content-sharing features as a safe haven for criminals, including dark web operators. Messages on the platform are difficult to trace, making it attractive for illegal transactions.
Protective Measures
Experts recommend keeping the app updated, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and disabling automatic downloads to reduce risks while using Telegram.
NTA’s Apology and Advice to Students
The NTA has acknowledged that the Telegram ban will disrupt millions of users who rely on the platform for studies, work, business, and personal communication. However, the agency emphasized that this decision is temporary and taken in the best interest of students.
In an official statement, the NTA urged students and parents to trust only official websites and authorized information channels. Anyone approached with offers to provide exam papers, help during the test, or suspicious deals should immediately report the matter to the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or through the cyber crime portal.
Changes to the NEET Re-Exam
The NTA also announced modifications to the NEET re-examination guidelines on June 12. Key changes include:
- Exam duration extended from 180 minutes to 195 minutes.
- Students will receive four additional rough work sheets.
- Answer sheets will have more space allocated for rough work.
These adjustments aim to provide a smoother and fairer testing experience for all candidates.
