The move comes just days before the medical entrance examination is scheduled to be held again on June 21, following the cancellation of the original test conducted in May due to allegations of a question paper leak.

Government Cites Exam Security Concerns

According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the restriction was implemented after authorities identified the widespread use of Telegram channels and groups by individuals allegedly attempting to mislead candidates and sell fake examination papers.

In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken in response to the “organized use of the platform by cheating rackets to defraud candidates.” The agency added that several Telegram groups were advertising purported access to the NEET-UG re-examination paper and demanding large sums of money from students and their families.

Authorities have repeatedly emphasized that no examination paper exists outside the secured examination process and have warned candidates against falling victim to scams.

NEET-UG Controversy Continues

The NEET-UG examination remains one of India's most competitive and high-stakes entrance tests, serving as the gateway to undergraduate medical education.

This year, nearly 2.28 million candidates appeared for the exam across more than 5,000 examination centres nationwide. However, allegations of a paper leak triggered protests, legal challenges and widespread criticism, eventually leading to the cancellation of the exam and the announcement of a fresh test.

The investigation is currently being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), with multiple arrests reportedly made in connection with the alleged leak.

The controversy follows similar concerns raised in previous years. In 2024, NEET also faced scrutiny over allegations of paper leaks, irregularities and the controversial awarding of grace marks to candidates.

Telegram Access Restricted Until After Retest

The NTA stated that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed Telegram to restrict access in India until June 22, one day after the retest is conducted.

In addition, authorities reportedly requested that Telegram temporarily disable its message-editing feature until June 30, arguing that edited messages had been used to fabricate evidence of question paper leaks and spread misinformation online.

The agency also noted that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) had acted on information provided by law enforcement agencies to remove numerous Telegram channels, bots and groups allegedly promoting fraudulent activities related to the examination.

Concerns Raised by Digital Rights Advocates

While the government maintains that the restriction is necessary to protect the integrity of the examination process, the decision has sparked criticism from digital rights groups and internet users.

The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) described the measure as a temporary and ineffective response to a deeper systemic issue.

Critics argue that thousands of students use Telegram for legitimate purposes, including study groups, exam preparation, educational resources and academic discussions. Restricting access, they say, may disrupt students during a crucial period leading up to the examination.

Digital rights advocates have also questioned whether blocking a communication platform addresses the root causes of exam leaks, which they argue often originate within examination, printing and distribution systems rather than on messaging applications alone.

Balancing Exam Integrity and Digital Access

The temporary restriction highlights the growing challenge of maintaining examination security in the digital age. As authorities seek stronger measures against organized cheating networks, questions remain about how to balance exam integrity with the rights of millions of users who rely on online platforms for education and communication.

With the NEET-UG retest scheduled for June 21, the effectiveness of the Telegram restriction and whether it can meaningfully prevent exam-related fraud will likely remain a subject of debate long after the examination concludes.