Messaging platform Telegram has moved the Delhi High Court against the Central Government’s decision to temporarily restrict access to the app across India ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21. The government-imposed restriction is set to remain in force until June 22.
Why Was Telegram Restricted?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), acting on recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Department of Higher Education, ordered the temporary restriction under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. Authorities said the move was necessary to prevent the circulation of fake question papers, exam fraud, misinformation, and cheating networks that allegedly used Telegram during previous examination controversies.
In addition to restricting access to the platform, Telegram’s message editing feature has reportedly been disabled until June 30. Officials claim the feature was being misused to alter old messages and create false claims of paper leaks after examinations had already taken place.
Telegram’s Argument
Telegram has argued before the Delhi High Court that the restriction is disproportionate and unfairly affects millions of legitimate users, students, educators, businesses and communities who use the platform for lawful purposes. The company maintains that the alleged misuse involves only a small number of bad actors and that a blanket restriction is not justified.
The company has also raised concerns that the temporary restriction could affect freedom of expression and access to information, especially for users who rely on Telegram for communication and educational content.
Delhi High Court Hearing
The matter was mentioned before a Delhi High Court vacation bench, which agreed to hear the petition urgently. The court has sought responses from the Centre, including MeitY, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the NTA. Further hearings are expected as the government defends its decision as a necessary step to protect the integrity of the NEET re-examination.
Background
The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination was ordered after allegations of question paper leaks and exam irregularities led to widespread controversy, protests, and demands for stronger safeguards. Authorities say the Telegram restriction is part of a broader effort to prevent cheating and restore confidence in the examination process.
