In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered a temporary nationwide ban on the messaging platform Telegram until June 22, 2026. The decision comes as a preemptive measure to protect the integrity of the upcoming NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination, scheduled for June 21.
In addition to the week-long blackout, the government has directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature for all users in India through June 30.
According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the strict measures were requested after authorities discovered cheating syndicates exploiting a specific loophole in Telegram’s architecture.
Currently, Telegram allows channel administrators to alter the content of previously sent messages—including swapping out PDF attachments—while maintaining the original timestamp. The NTA revealed that scammers have been using this feature to fake paper leaks:
“A channel administrator edits an older, innocuous message to insert the actual question paper after the examination has been conducted. The resulting chat is then circulated as purported ‘evidence’ that the paper was in circulation before the examination.”
By freezing the message-editing feature until the end of June, MeitY aims to entirely close this post-examination window for digital fabrication.
This marks the first time the Indian government has blocked a major, large-scale messaging app for a localized time frame. The NTA defended the decision as a “measure of last resort,” taken in the interest of public order after standard takedown notices failed to curb the platform’s misuse.
The syndicates reportedly demanded anywhere from a few thousand to several lakh rupees from vulnerable candidates and their parents in exchange for fake papers. The NTA has reiterated that the actual re-examination paper remains completely secure within its chain of custody.
Law enforcement agencies across multiple states are actively targeting these networks. In Bihar the Economic Offences Unit issued a public advisory on June 9, warning students against falling prey to Telegram-based scams. In Gujarat the Ahmedabad City Cyber Crime Branch recently dismantled an interstate gang operating eight fraudulent Telegram channels. Investigations revealed the group had already routed roughly Rs. 1.5 crore through dummy bank accounts and contacted nearly 1,000 mobile numbers in just a single month.
With the temporary block in place, the central government hopes to ensure a level playing field for all candidates appearing for the high-stakes re-examination this coming weekend.
