India blocks Telegram till 22 June ahead of NEET re-exam: Why a digital rights group is calling it ‘band aid solution’

India temporarily blocked access to Telegram across the country until June 22, 2026, ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) undergraduate re-examination scheduled for June 21, 2026. The government cited organized cheating networks exploiting the platform to defraud candidates, describing the shutdown as a measure of last resort after earlier attempts to remove offending content proved ineffective. The National Testing Agency (NTA) under the Ministry of Education announced the block in response to allegations of question paper leaks that led to the cancellation of NEET results for 2.3 million students last month, triggering protests including demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The block was enforced under Section 69A of India’s Information Technology Act, 2000, which permits restrictions on platforms to protect national sovereignty and integrity. The government also ordered Telegram to disable its message-editing feature for Indian users until June 30, 2026, and directed Google and Apple to temporarily remove the app from their stores, with both companies confirming compliance. Despite acknowledging the inconvenience, authorities stated the move was unavoidable following repeated failures to curb cheating through targeted actions. The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) condemned the decision, arguing it was legally overreaching and practically ineffective. The group claimed the government misapplied Section 69A and the Blocking Rules of 2009, which do not support a blanket ban on Telegram. The IFF highlighted that the shutdown harms legitimate students who rely on the platform for study groups and resources, while failing to address the root causes of exam fraud. Experts suggested targeted takedowns of cheating-related channels as a more precise alternative to a full platform ban. The NEET controversy escalated after the government canceled results for 2.3 million students following investigations into leaked question papers. Protests erupted nationwide, with groups like the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leading demonstrations demanding accountability. The Telegram block follows a series of disruptions to the NEET process, including the re-exam scheduled for June 21, as authorities attempt to restore confidence in the examination system amid persistent allegations of irregularities.