Indian authorities block Telegram for NEET exam fraud and cancel results of 2.3 million students
New information indicates that India has temporarily suspended the operation of the messaging application Telegram, on the grounds that the platform was used to deceive candidates in an important national entrance exam for medical courses, a process already shaken by reports of test leaks last month, resulting in the cancellation of millions of results.
Details and Justification of the Interdiction
The interruption, which marks a precedent in the Asian country, appears as a direct response to the articulated scheme of use of the application by criminal groups. The objective was to harm students who are preparing for the re-evaluation of the 2026 National Eligibility and Entrance Examination (NEET), with a new date set for June 21 of the same year, according to an announcement made on Tuesday by the National Testing Agency, linked to the Ministry of Education.
The service blocking measure will remain in force until June 22nd.
Last month, the Indian government had ordered the cancellation of the NEET exam, the gateway to medical universities, amid investigations into alleged leaks of the test questions.
Authorities in the Asian country stated that the platform was used by anonymous channels that called themselves sellers of privileged access to evidence.
Following accusations of breach of confidentiality and the subsequent annulment of the results of 2.3 million students, intense protests took over several regions of India. Among the demonstrations, those of the Popular Cockroach Party stood out, which gained wide visibility on social media by demanding the resignation of the Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan.
Legal Basis and Controversy
Current legislation in India gives the government powers to prevent access to digital platforms.
The restriction imposed on Telegram was implemented based on a clause in the Indian Information Technology law, which authorizes the government to block access to websites “in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India”.
Civil Society Criticism and Official Response
A collective of activists argued that this ban violates the right to freedom of expression and will not solve the root of the problem.
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According to the Internet Freedom Foundation, “Closing Telegram is a stopgap measure and a disproportionate reaction to exam fraud.”
The organization also highlighted that the initiative “would penalize ordinary users, instead of focusing on the systemic origin of evidence leaks”.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government expressed its regret for the inconvenience caused, justifying the action as a “last resort” after previous attempts to remove problematic content from the platform had not achieved the desired effect.
Repercussion between Platforms and Operators
Telegram did not provide an immediate response to a request for a position. Despite the lockdown enacted, the Telegram app remained accessible in India at 8:30 am GMT on Tuesday.
Operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea also did not immediately comment on whether they had already received and started implementing the blocking order.
Both Google, from Alphabet, and Apple received a government order to temporarily remove the Telegram application from their respective virtual stores and must comply with the decision, as reported by sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
