The Indian government has temporarily suspended Telegram under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act to curb fraudulent activities and misinformation related to the NEET-UG re-examination. The ban, effective until 22 June 2026, aims to prevent the spread of fake exam papers and paper leak evidence ahead of the test scheduled for 21 June 2026.
Disabling Message Editing
Telegram's message-editing feature has also been disabled in India until 30 June 2026. This measure is intended to stop the fabrication of fake paper leak evidence, which could be used to mislead candidates and authorities.
NEET-UG Re-exam Context
The re-examination follows a paper leak controversy that cast doubt on the integrity of the original exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has implemented enhanced security measures, including multi-layer surveillance and stricter invigilation protocols, to ensure fairness in the upcoming test.
Fraudulent Telegram Channels
Several Telegram channels were discovered allegedly advertising fake exam papers and demanding money from candidates. These channels exploited the uncertainty surrounding the re-examination to defraud students. The government's action targets these networks to protect candidates from financial and academic harm.
Multi-agency Coordination
The NTA, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and state agencies collaborated to dismantle fraud networks and secure the examination process. This joint effort involved monitoring online platforms, identifying malicious actors, and taking legal action against those involved.
Key Statistics
- Ban effective until: 22 June 2026
- Editing feature restricted until: 30 June 2026
- Re-examination date: 21 June 2026
