The government imposed the restriction citing concerns that Telegram was being used to circulate leaked examination papers. The action came a day after access to the platform was blocked, following allegations that organized groups had exploited the app to distribute sensitive exam content ahead of the test.
The NEET examination, conducted last month, was cancelled after widespread allegations of a paper leak triggered nationwide outrage and protests. A retest is scheduled for Sunday, with reports indicating that Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters may be deployed to transport examination materials to ensure security and prevent further breaches.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov strongly opposed the ban, describing it as a “mistake” and arguing that it would disproportionately affect millions of legitimate users while failing to deter those responsible for the leak. He stated that the platform had already removed hundreds of channels involved in sharing leaked exam material and related scams in India in recent weeks.
Durov further asserted that banning the platform would not resolve the underlying issue, as offenders would likely migrate to other services. He emphasized that Telegram, which has over 150 million active users in India, plays a significant role in communication, education, and professional networking. He also noted improvements to the platform’s “edited” label feature to prevent misuse in backdating scams.
The matter was brought before the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, where the bench agreed to hear the case later in the day, according to legal reports. The restriction has been imposed under provisions of India’s Information Technology law, which allows blocking of digital platforms in the interest of sovereignty and national integrity.
The National Testing Agency, responsible for conducting NEET, defended the decision, stating that the platform had been used by organized cheating networks to defraud candidates. However, it acknowledged the inconvenience caused to users who depend on the service for legitimate educational and professional purposes.
The unprecedented restriction has sparked widespread debate over the effectiveness of blocking entire platforms to address cyber-enabled exam fraud. Technology analyst Nikhil Pahwa criticized the move, noting that similar activities could shift to other platforms such as WhatsApp or Discord, questioning the broader impact of such bans.
Political reactions have also intensified. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government, calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accusing the administration of jeopardizing the future of millions of students.
While some students supported the action as a preventive step, many stressed that authorities should focus on identifying and prosecuting those responsible for leaking examination papers rather than restricting access to widely used communication platforms.
As the legal battle unfolds and the retest approaches, the controversy has intensified scrutiny on India’s examination security systems and the balance between digital regulation and user access.
The case is expected to set a significant precedent regarding platform liability and government authority in regulating digital communication services during national security and integrity concerns.
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