TELEGRAM ACCESS RESTRICTED IN INDIA AHEAD OF NEET-UG 2026 RE-EXAMINATION, VPNS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ACCESS

The restrictions were implemented after the government directed major application marketplaces to remove Telegram until June 22. Google removed the application from its platform on Tuesday, while Apple also complied with the directive and removed Telegram from its App Store.

Cybersecurity professionals have expressed doubts about the ability of the move to completely prevent the circulation of leaked examination material. Jiten Jain, Director of Voyager Infosec, said that restricting access to Telegram is unlikely to fully stop the spread of leaked content because VPN services continue to offer alternative routes for users to access the platform.

According to Jain, users can bypass domestic restrictions by connecting through international servers, allowing Telegram to remain operational despite local blocks. He noted that such workarounds significantly reduce the effectiveness of platform-level restrictions.

The temporary action was taken ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-test scheduled for June 21. The National Testing Agency (NTA) had earlier cancelled the medical entrance examination conducted on May 3 following allegations that the question paper had been leaked.

In addition to restricting access to the platform, authorities have instructed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30. Officials believe that edited messages were allegedly used in the past to create misleading claims suggesting that examination papers had been leaked before examinations were conducted.

Telegram founder and Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov strongly criticised the government's decision, arguing that banning the platform would not prevent examination leaks and would instead create difficulties for millions of legitimate users.

In a statement posted on social media, Durov said the restrictions penalise more than 150 million Telegram users in India rather than targeting those responsible for leaking examination material. He further alleged that commercial interests may have influenced the decision and suggested that competitors could have played a role in the restrictions.

However, a senior telecommunications industry source rejected the allegation, describing it as inaccurate. The source stated that Durov appeared to have confused two separate corporate entities while making the claim.

The restrictions are expected to remain in force until the completion of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination process. The development has intensified the debate over the balance between preventing examination malpractice and ensuring uninterrupted access to digital communication platforms used by millions of people across the country.