India Blocks Telegram App Over Use in Medical Exam Fraud
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- India has blocked the Telegram messaging app until June 22, citing its use in defrauding candidates during the NEET medical entrance exam.
- The government invoked a stringent IT law provision to restrict access in the "interest of sovereignty and integrity of India."
- This action follows the cancellation of a previous NEET exam due to a question leak, with a re-examination scheduled for June 21.
India has temporarily blocked access to the Telegram messaging app until June 22, asserting that the platform was exploited by cheating rackets to defraud candidates participating in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The Ministry of Education announced the restriction, which was enacted under a strict provision of the IT law granting the government power to block online sites deemed necessary for India's sovereignty and integrity.
The government's decision comes shortly after the cancellation of a crucial undergraduate entrance exam due to a widespread leak of question papers. Authorities have rescheduled the NEET exam for June 21, prompting this decisive measure against Telegram.
The platform has been used to "defraud candidates" taking the medical entrance examination.
The Ministry of Education's National Testing Agency stated that the restriction was a direct response to the "organized use of the platform by cheating rackets to defraud candidates appearing for the NEET 2026 re-examination." The government aims to prevent further manipulation and ensure the integrity of the upcoming examination.
Telegram had not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the ban. The move highlights the Indian government's commitment to combating exam fraud and maintaining the credibility of its national testing systems.
in response to the organised use of the platform by cheating rackets to defraud candidates appearing for the NEET 2026 re-examination scheduled on 21 June 2026
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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