Messaging platform Telegram has approached the Delhi High Court after the Indian government temporarily restricted access to the app ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination.
According to reports, the matter was listed before Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, and the court agreed to hear Telegram’s plea. The company is challenging the government’s decision, which was taken as part of efforts to prevent the spread of leaked examination material before the upcoming medical entrance test.
Why Was Telegram Temporarily Restricted?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued directions to temporarily restrict Telegram’s services in India until June 22, 2026. The move followed recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for conducting the NEET examination.
Authorities believe that organized cheating groups were allegedly using the platform to circulate leaked exam-related content and mislead candidates appearing for the re-examination scheduled on June 21. In addition to the temporary restriction, Telegram’s message editing feature has reportedly been disabled until June 30 as a precautionary measure.
NTA Explains the Decision
In an official statement, the National Testing Agency said the measures were taken to maintain public order and protect the integrity of the examination process.
According to the agency, the action was aimed at preventing the misuse of digital platforms by groups involved in unfair practices during the examination period. The NEET UG 2026 re-examination is being conducted after the original test was cancelled following allegations of a question paper leak.
Telegram Founder Criticises the Ban
Telegram founder Pavel Durov publicly criticised the government’s decision through a post on social media. He argued that the temporary restriction affects millions of regular users who have no connection with the alleged examination leak.
Durov stated that restricting the platform does not necessarily stop the spread of leaked content, as such activities may simply shift to other digital platforms.
NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam Scheduled for June 21
The NEET UG 2026 re-examination is scheduled to take place on June 21, 2026. The exam is being conducted again after authorities cancelled the earlier test due to concerns over paper leak allegations. The government has increased monitoring and security measures to ensure a fair examination process for students across the country.
What Happens Next?
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear Telegram’s challenge against the temporary restriction. The outcome of the case could determine whether the platform remains restricted until the scheduled end date or whether any changes are made to the government’s order.
Meanwhile, students preparing for the NEET UG re-examination are advised to rely only on official information provided by the NTA and avoid sharing or engaging with unverified exam-related content online.
hi,
thanks for update.