Just before the re-exam for the medical entrance test NEET UG 2026, the government has taken an unusual but firm step to protect the integrity of the test. According to reports, the central government has temporarily shut down the messaging app Telegram across India until June 22. The decision was taken on the recommendation of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is aimed at curbing misleading exam-related information, false paper leak rumours and any form of fraud.
How long the block lasts and why
The restriction is not permanent. As per the information available, it will stay in force only during the exam period and the days immediately after it. The NTA argues that over recent times several groups had become active on Telegram, claiming to supply students with fake question papers and deceptive material tied to paper leaks. The platform has been switched off for a few days specifically to cut off the reach of such groups.
A separate clamp on the message edit feature
The action is not limited to blocking the app. According to reports, instructions have also been issued to keep Telegram's message edit feature disabled until June 30. The NTA says this very feature was misused in some cases. Old messages were edited later to insert fake documents or question papers, creating the false impression that the information had existed before the exam, when in reality it had not.
Why NEET UG matters and the earlier crackdown
NEET UG is counted among the country's most important medical entrance exams, and lakhs of students appear for it every year. That is precisely why keeping it credible is considered crucial. According to the NTA, action had already been taken earlier to remove several Telegram channels, groups and bots, but given the situation, direct intervention at the platform level had now become necessary.
Officials acknowledge that the block will cause some inconvenience to ordinary Telegram users for a few days, but they believe the move was essential to preserve the transparency and fairness of the exam.
The agencies involved
The NTA said several agencies are continuously working on the matter. These include the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the CBI, along with the Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan police. The Bihar police has already issued an advisory cautioning students against such fraudulent claims.
Trust only official sources
For now, when Telegram service and its features will be restored is something the concerned authorities will announce in due course. Students have been clearly advised not to fall for any rumour and to obtain exam-related information only from the official website neet.nta.nic.in and the NTA's official social media handles.
If any student or parent comes across cheating in the name of a paper leak, or notices suspicious activity, they should immediately lodge a complaint on the national cyber helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in.
