Telegram Restored in India After Week-Long Ban Linked to NEET Paper Leak Concerns

Telegram has resumed services in India after a seven-day government ban imposed over concerns about leaked NEET examination papers and misinformation. Some restrictions on platform features remain in place.
on Jun 25, 2026

Telegram is back into action in India following a seven-day ban by the government related to the issue of NEET papers and other misleading information regarding the examination being spread through the messaging app.

Telegram became available on the Google Play Store on Tuesday for Android users to be able to access the app once again. Telegram services were also reportedly made available for other existing users who use either Android or iPhone devices as the restrictions got lifted.

This development thus marks an end to the ongoing conflict between the government of India and one of the popular messaging apps in the world.

Why Was Telegram Blocked?

Telegram had been blocked by the government temporarily until June 22, owing to apprehensions about the use of the platform for the circulation of fake and leaked NEET exam papers, as well as misinformation.

This blocking took place during the time of re-examination of NEET held on June 21. This move was taken to stop any sort of leakage of information, which could affect the integrity of one of the most crucial medical entrance exams in India.

Government officials had already interacted with representatives from Telegram over the concerns related to the sharing of examination material on the platform.

Challenge to Legal Action and Court Ruling

Telegram contested the government’s banning order before the Delhi High Court on the grounds of restrictions imposed and the process through which the ban had been ordered.

Nevertheless, the court ruled in favor of the government, saying that the temporary restrictions were legal, proportionate, and justifiable in view of the integrity of an examination at a national level.

The court also turned down the contention raised by the company over non-following of due process, providing legal legitimacy to the actions taken by the government in light of the examination.

Service Resumes, but Some Restrictions Persist

Although Telegram service is back to normal, there are some restrictions imposed according to reports.

As per the orders of the government, it has been directed that the message editing function on the platform will remain disabled until June 30. This restriction appears to have been put in place because of the fear that the feature might be used to tamper with the published messages, as authorities were investigating examination malpractice cases.

Apart from this temporary restriction, users are slowly getting back their normal services on Telegram messaging, channels, and communications.

Rising Controversy on Platform Liability

This event brings into light the rising trend where Indian digital communication platforms face increasing criticism amid public examinations.

With communication apps becoming major means of sharing information, the government and educational institutions have been forced to ensure that there is no dissemination of any leaked papers, fake information, and misinformation that can harm the exam process.

The blocking of Telegram for some period indicates how the regulatory bodies have been increasingly pressurizing technology firms to take up responsibility for the contents posted on their platforms.

Telegram’s Reactions

Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, condemned the government’s order that his platform was blocked due to sharing of leaked examination papers by some users.

He has always been a strong believer in the idea of user privacy and communication freedom and hence, the company believes that it cannot be liable for the actions of its users.

A More Widespread Impact on Students and Educators

This temporary suspension also had an effect on students, educators, publishers, coaching institutions, and academic communities that use Telegram to conduct legal discussions on academic issues.

As more and more educational communities rely on online platforms, policymakers still have the difficult task of curbing their misuse without limiting access to millions of legitimate users.

Now that Telegram has been brought back online, all eyes will probably turn towards ways of using technology platforms, educational institutions, and regulators to ensure examination security without hindering access to digital communication media.

It goes without saying that in times where instant access to information is available, ensuring examination security does not only need to happen in examination centers but also in the digital domain.