Centre restricts Telegram ahead of NEET UG 2026 re-exam to prevent exam fraud
Ahead of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, access to the messaging platform Telegram has been temporarily restricted in India until June 22.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) said it has supported the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) decision to impose the restriction under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The move, which will remain in effect until June 22, 2026, is aimed at ensuring the integrity of the examination process.
Telegram, a messaging service launched in 2013 by Pavel and Nikolai Durov and based in Dubai, has also been directed to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30, 2026.
Authorities stated that certain groups had allegedly exploited the editing feature to modify old posts after exams and insert question papers while keeping original timestamps, creating misleading claims of paper leaks.
According to the NTA, these measures are intended to curb organized cheating networks and maintain public order during the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination period.
The agency also thanked the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for taking timely action to support secure and fair examinations.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been coordinating efforts to address Telegram-based fraud and misinformation targeting NEET candidates.
The NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination will proceed as scheduled on June 21, and candidates have been advised to rely only on official updates and avoid unverified information circulating online.