India blocks Telegram over NEET fraud, cites failure to curb misuse
Image Source: Indian Express
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued an interim blocking order against the messaging platform Telegram, accusing it of failing to curb fraudulent activities related to the NEET-UG 2026 examination. The order, dated June 16, blocks access to Telegram until June 22, the day after the re-conducted exam.
The government invoked powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, following requests from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The agencies flagged the “growing misuse” of Telegram for circulating fake exam papers, spreading misleading information, and other fraudulent activities connected to NEET-UG 2026.
According to the order, despite repeated takedown actions against specific channels, the fraudulent ecosystem on Telegram continued to proliferate through new channels, groups, and associated infrastructure. The government noted that a meeting with Telegram on June 3, involving officials from NTA and MeitY, failed to resolve the issue. The order states that “the misuse has not abated and has even intensified before re-conduct of NEET Examination.”
The government cited concerns that fraudulent activities on the platform “might pose serious challenges to the public order in the country.” It also noted that “students continue to be defrauded, and persistent rumour-mongering is calculated to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the re-conducted examination.”
The blocking order was signed by S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY. It highlighted that Telegram had “failed to effectively curb such activities or take any effective preventive measures on their platform which resulted in widespread public unrest in the country.” The government argued that a “reactive, entity-by-entity approach has been exhausted” and that a platform-level measure was necessary to secure the examination process.
Telegram has moved the Delhi High Court seeking relief from the blocking order. The NEET re-exam is scheduled for June 21.