India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology announced a temporary block of Telegram on Sunday, citing concerns that the platform could be used to coordinate cheating for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET‑UG) medical entrance exam. The ban was slated to lift on 22 June, one day after the exam’s rescheduled date of 21 June.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) welcomed the step, arguing it was designed to eliminate the “organized use of the platform by cheating rackets” that had recently led to the cancellation of the May exam over allegations of a paper leak. The NTA also reported that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre had taken down a number of Telegram channels, groups and bots that advertised fraud, demanding large sums from candidates.
However, the move was met with pushback from internet‑freedom advocates and ordinary users alike. The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) criticized the ban as “reactive and ineffective,” noting that it would punish legitimate users who rely on Telegram for study groups and doubt‑clearing well ahead of an exam they have prepared for years. The IFF also warned that it would not stop leaks originating within the education system or from insiders connected to the printing and logistics chain.
Telegram has yet to issue an official statement, but the platform remained available on smartphones in India hours after the government announced the ban, raising questions about how it will be enforced. The NTA apologized for the “inconvenience” that the restriction would cause users who employ Telegram for legitimate purposes.
The NEET‑UG controversy has prompted a wave of protests across India, demanding the resignation of the federal education minister. Earlier incidents in 2024 saw similar allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the awarding of grace marks.
For further context, read The contentious exam deciding the fate of India’s doctors and Protests in India after medical entrance test scrapped over leak claims.
