New Delhi, June 16: The Central government has imposed a temporary restriction on the messaging platform Telegram across India until June 22 as part of efforts to prevent examination-related fraud ahead of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21.
The move follows recommendations aimed at curbing alleged paper leak claims, misinformation campaigns and cheating networks that authorities believe have increasingly used digital platforms to target students appearing for competitive examinations.
The restriction has been imposed under provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and will remain in force through the examination period and its immediate aftermath.
In addition to restricting access to the platform, authorities have directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30. The decision was taken following concerns that the feature could be misused to alter previously posted messages and insert examination papers or other content while retaining the original timestamp, creating misleading impressions regarding the timing of information dissemination.
Officials stated that the measure forms part of a broader effort to protect the integrity of the re-examination process and prevent organised cheating syndicates from exploiting digital communication channels.
According to authorities, several Telegram channels and groups had allegedly been promoting fraudulent claims relating to access to examination papers and related services. Such groups reportedly demanded payments ranging from a few thousand rupees to several lakh rupees from students and parents by promising advance access to question papers.
Authorities reiterated that no examination paper had been leaked and warned candidates against believing or engaging with such claims.
The temporary restriction follows a series of earlier enforcement actions targeting examination-related fraud. These measures included the removal of numerous Telegram channels, groups and automated bots that allegedly advertised fraudulent services connected to the NEET re-examination.
Officials said that despite multiple channel-specific interventions and enforcement measures, authorities determined that stronger steps were required to address the scale of the problem during the sensitive examination period.
The decision was described as a temporary and calibrated response intended to impose only the restrictions considered necessary to safeguard the examination process.
Authorities also highlighted concerns regarding the creation and circulation of manipulated digital content. Investigators believe that message-editing capabilities could potentially be used to fabricate evidence suggesting that examination papers were available before the test, even when such claims were false.
Alongside central efforts, state-level law enforcement agencies have continued investigations into examination-related cyber fraud networks. Public advisories have been issued warning students and parents against offers claiming access to question papers or guaranteed examination results through social media and messaging applications.
Authorities have urged candidates appearing for the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination to focus on their preparation and avoid relying on unverified information circulating online.
Students and parents have been advised to follow only official examination-related communications and to report suspicious claims or fraudulent approaches through designated cybercrime reporting channels.
While acknowledging that Telegram is widely used for legitimate educational, professional and personal communication, authorities stated that the temporary restriction was considered necessary to protect the credibility of one of the country’s largest entrance examinations.
Officials have assured candidates that the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination will proceed as scheduled on June 21 and maintained that extensive measures are in place to ensure a fair, secure and transparent examination process.
The restriction is expected to remain in effect until June 22, while the suspension of Telegram’s message-editing feature will continue until June 30. Authorities indicated that the measures would be reviewed based on the situation after the examination period concludes.
