India blocks Telegram ahead of medical exam to curb cheating

India has temporarily blocked access to the Telegram messaging app nationwide. The measure, effective until June 22, coincides with a retest of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a highly competitive examination for medical college admissions.

The government's action follows a major scandal last month where the NEET question paper was allegedly leaked and circulated through Telegram channels. This incident, coupled with a separate marking error in high school tests, sparked widespread public outrage and youth protests demanding the education minister's resignation. The Ministry of Electronics issued the order, citing the "organized use of the platform by cheating rackets to defraud candidates" and deeming it necessary in the "interest of public order."

Message-editing features on Telegram will remain restricted until June 30. The NEET exam, which attracts over two million aspiring doctors annually, has been a source of intense pressure and a lucrative industry for coaching centers. The high stakes and fierce competition create opportunities for criminal networks to sell leaked papers. India's Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a chemistry lecturer, identified as the alleged "kingpin" behind the leak, who was involved in the examination process.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has also launched a website for the public to report suspicious activities related to the NEET exam. The government's move highlights the challenges of ensuring exam integrity in a country grappling with high youth unemployment and intense competition for limited professional career opportunities. Reports of student suicides following the NEET exam fiasco underscore the immense pressure faced by young Indians.

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Both measures have been taken in the interest of public order, in response to the organised use of the platform by cheating rackets to defraud candidates.