The Indian government imposed a temporary ban on Telegram in response to a leak of the NEET-UG medical entrance exam paper, affecting over 2.2 million aspirants. The ban, enforced under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, has been in place since mid-June and will last at least until June 22, according to inc42.com.
The ban followed widespread public outrage after the NEET exam paper leak disrupted the examination schedule, forcing a rescheduling and throwing students’ futures into uncertainty. The government cited the platform’s role in spreading the leaked paper and likened Telegram to the dark web. Telegram challenged the ban in the Delhi High Court, which declined to intervene, ruling that the government’s authority to block information extends to entire platforms.
This move has sparked debate among legal, cybersecurity, and policy experts. Some view the ban as a necessary state action to uphold exam integrity, while others criticize it as an excessive restriction on digital communication. The incident highlights systemic challenges in India’s education system and the government’s increasing use of digital regulation to address such crises.
Millions of students are set to retake the NEET exam today under heightened scrutiny, with hopes that no further leaks will occur. The ban on Telegram remains effective until at least June 22, pending any further court decisions or government actions, according to inc42.com.