Government bans Telegram until June 22 to curb cheating ahead of NEET re-test

The Telegram messaging app has been temporarily blocked in India by the government ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-test, citing its alleged use by organised cheating rackets. NTA says fraudsters sold fake papers, spread misinformation and exploited Telegram's editing feature to create fabricated "evidence" of paper leaks after examinations.

In Short

• NTA says Telegram editing feature was used to create fake NEET leak evidence
• Fraud channels demanded thousands to lakhs for non-existent NEET papers online
• Telegram access restricted till June 22 ahead of June 21 NEET re-examination

The Telegram app has been temporarily restricted in India ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination over viral allegations of paper leaks sourced from the app.

As Telegram channels flooded students with claims of leaked question papers, edited screenshots and promises of guaranteed access to the exam, the National Testing Agency has now issued its strongest statement yet, explaining why Telegram access has been temporarily restricted in India and why one of the platform's most-used features has been disabled.

The move comes days before the NEET UG 2026 re-exam scheduled for June 21.

WHAT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued two separate directions.

The first restricts access to Telegram in India until June 22, covering the examination period and the immediate aftermath.

The second requires Telegram to disable editing of already-posted messages in India until June 30.

NTA described both measures as "calibrated and bounded in time" and said they were adopted only after other remedies, including large-scale takedowns of channels and groups, failed to adequately address the problem.

The NTA statement noted that it welcomed the two directions from the Government of India:

(a) a direction under Section 69 A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, restricting access to the Telegram platform in India for a defined and limited period ending 22 June 2026, covering the day of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination and its immediate aftermath; and

(b) a direction requiring the platform to disable, in India, the message-editing feature in respect of messages already posted, for a defined period ending 30 June 2026, addressing the specific structural feature through which the platform has been used to fabricate after-the-event “paper leak” evidence in respect of national examinations.

WHY TELEGRAM CAME UNDER SCRUTINY

According to NTA, the action follows months of monitoring of Telegram channels allegedly being used by organised cheating and cyber fraud networks.

The agency said channels with names such as "PAPER LEAKED NEET", "Re-NEET 2026", "Private Mafia" and "REE NEET MAFIAA" openly advertised access to the examination paper and demanded payments ranging from a few thousand rupees to several lakh rupees from candidates and their families.

NTA has reiterated that no such paper exists outside the secured examination process.

"The promise of any such material is, in every instance, a fraud," the statement said.

TELEGRAM AND PAPER LEAKS

Telegram's popularity has surged globally over the past decade, including among millions of users in India. The platform became known for its privacy-focused reputation, encryption features, large channels, anonymous usernames and the ability to share files with massive audiences.

While these features attracted educators, businesses and content creators, they also made Telegram a preferred platform for groups claiming to offer leaked exam papers and insider access to competitive tests.

In recent years, several paper leak rumours and exam-related scams have spread through Telegram channels, prompting authorities to closely monitor the platform during high-stakes examinations such as NEET.

THE EDIT FEATURE THAT TRIGGERED CONCERN

One of the most striking parts of the statement relates to Telegram's message editing feature.

According to NTA, administrators could edit previously posted messages while retaining the original timestamp. In some cases, they could even replace attached PDF files.

The agency says this loophole was allegedly used to manufacture fake proof of paper leaks.

Explaining the process, NTA said channel administrators would first post an ordinary message before an examination. After the exam was over, they would edit that older message and insert the actual question paper. Screenshots would then be circulated as supposed proof that the paper had been available before the test.

NTA called these fabricated "paper leak" artefacts and said the direction requiring Telegram to disable message editing in India until June 30 was intended to shut down that route.

ARRESTS, TAKEDOWNS AND CYBER FRAUD PROBE

The NTA statement reveals that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been coordinating action against Telegram-based fraud operations for weeks.

Acting on inputs from NTA and state police agencies, I4C reportedly facilitated the takedown of numerous channels, groups and bots involved in spreading misinformation and fraudulent offers.

NTA also highlighted enforcement action by state agencies.

It cited a June 9 advisory issued by Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit warning students about fake paper leak claims. It also referred to the arrest of members of an inter-state cyber fraud gang by Ahmedabad City Cyber Crime Branch. Investigators found the group allegedly operated eight Telegram channels, handled transactions worth around Rs 1.5 crore through fraudulent accounts and contacted nearly 1,000 mobile numbers within a month.

NTA SAYS 'NO ONE' HAS ACCESS TO THE PAPER

On June 15, NTA posted a blunt warning on X.

"Don't let rumours decide your NEET (UG) 2026 journey."

It added: "No one, repeat, no one has access to the question paper before the exam."

Students were urged to report fake websites, paper leak offers and anyone pretending to be an NTA official.

EXAM ON JUNE 21, NTA OFFERS REASSURANCE

Acknowledging that many students use Telegram for legitimate educational and personal purposes, NTA said it "sincerely regrets the inconvenience" caused by the restrictions.

At the same time, the agency stressed that the examination itself remains secure.

"The security of the examination is unaffected by the action taken; it is, in fact, the very purpose of the action," the statement said.

For lakhs of students heading into one of India's biggest entrance exams, NTA's message is simple: ignore rumours, avoid anyone selling papers, and trust only official updates.

- Ends