Delhi High Court Upholds Temporary Ban on Telegram Ahead of NEET Re-exam

The Delhi High Court on Friday (June 19, 2026) rejected a plea by messaging platform Telegram challenging a temporary ban imposed by the Union government ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21, 2026. The court ruled that the government had followed due process and acted within its powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.

Justice Tejas Karia observed that the government's action was proactive and the least restrictive measure available, dismissing Telegram's contention that the ban was disproportionate or lacked proper application of mind. The court noted that the temporary block, lasting until June 22, 2026, was justified in light of the need to prevent organised cheating during the medical entrance exam.

The ban was imposed at the request of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which flagged the systematic use of Telegram by cheating rackets to defraud candidates appearing for the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination. The NTA described the platform as a tool exploited by criminal networks to leak exam papers and disrupt the integrity of the examination process.

In its submissions before the court, the Union government argued that Telegram had become the "new dark web," citing an assessment by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The government contended that the platform's architecture and privacy features made it a preferred medium for cybercriminals, fraud networks, extremist groups, and operators involved in paper leaks.

Senior advocate Dhruv Mehta, representing Telegram, countered that the government had not justified the use of emergency powers, emphasizing that the order claimed to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India. "An examination like NEET will affect the sovereignty and integrity of India? What is the application of mind?" he asked.

However, the court disagreed, holding that the government had demonstrated a clear nexus between the platform's misuse and the need for a temporary block. Justice Karia noted that the order was specific in scope and duration, and that the government had acted in good faith to safeguard a critical national examination.

The temporary ban on Telegram came into effect on June 18 and will remain until June 22, covering the period of the NEET re-exam. The decision has sparked debate about the balance between security concerns and digital rights, but the court's ruling affirms the government's authority to take such steps under existing law.