With lakhs of students preparing for the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination, the Centre has extended restrictions on the messaging platform Telegram until June 22, citing concerns over question paper leaks and organised cheating networks.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has acted on recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which argued that Telegram had been repeatedly used to circulate leaked examination material and spread misleading claims relating to national-level entrance tests.
Invoking emergency powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, MeitY has directed internet service providers and platform operators to restrict access to Telegram across India for a limited period ending June 22, covering the NEET re-examination and its immediate aftermath.
In an official statement, the NTA said the temporary restriction was aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the examination process and preventing the dissemination of unauthorised content through the platform.
Apart from blocking access to the platform, authorities have also directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30.
According to the NTA, the feature has allegedly been misused in the past to alter previously posted messages and create what it described as fabricated "evidence" of paper leaks after examinations had already taken place.
Officials believe restricting this functionality will help prevent the circulation of misleading claims and reduce confusion among students and parents.
The NEET examination has been at the centre of intense scrutiny over the past two years following allegations of question paper leaks, impersonation, organised cheating rackets and irregularities in several states.
The controversy surrounding the recent examination triggered nationwide protests, court cases and investigations by multiple agencies, prompting the government and the NTA to tighten security measures around subsequent examinations.
With the 2026 re-examination approaching, authorities are taking additional precautions to prevent any repeat of previous incidents and to restore confidence in the country's largest medical entrance examination.
Government officials have stressed that the restriction is temporary and targeted specifically at protecting the examination process. Access to Telegram is expected to be restored after June 22, while the message-editing restrictions will remain in force until June 30.