Telegram to Be Blocked in India Until June 22 Ahead of NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam, NTA Announces Major Anti-Cheating Action

In a major move aimed at protecting the integrity of one of India's largest entrance examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that access to the Telegram platform will be temporarily restricted in India ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21.

The decision comes after authorities identified widespread misuse of the messaging platform by fraudsters and organized cheating networks allegedly targeting students appearing for the medical entrance examination. Officials say the measures are designed to prevent misinformation, fake paper leak claims, and online scams aimed at exploiting candidates and their families.

Telegram Access Restricted Until June 22

According to the NTA, authorities have issued directions under provisions of the Information Technology Act to restrict access to Telegram in India for a limited period ending June 22, 2026.

The restriction covers the examination day and the immediate period afterward, which officials consider highly sensitive due to the possibility of misinformation campaigns and fraudulent activities.

The agency stated that the action was taken in the interest of public order and to ensure a fair and secure examination process for lakhs of students appearing for the NEET UG 2026 re-examination.

Message Editing Feature to Be Disabled Until June 30

Apart from restricting access to the platform, authorities have also directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30, 2026.

Officials explained that the move targets a specific loophole allegedly exploited by fraud networks. According to investigators, some channel administrators were able to edit previously posted messages and replace attached files after an examination had concluded while retaining the original timestamp.

This practice allegedly allowed fraudsters to create false evidence suggesting that question papers had been leaked before examinations.

Authorities believe temporarily disabling the feature will prevent the creation of misleading content designed to undermine public confidence in examination processes.

Why Authorities Took the Decision

The NTA stated that several Telegram channels and groups had been openly advertising alleged access to NEET UG 2026 examination papers and demanding money from students.

Investigators found channels operating under names that promoted supposed paper leaks and promised access to examination materials in exchange for payments ranging from a few thousand rupees to several lakh rupees.

The agency reiterated that no genuine examination paper exists outside the secured official examination system and warned candidates that any such claims are fraudulent.

Officials emphasized that the platform-level action was considered a last resort after earlier efforts, including channel-specific removals and enforcement actions, failed to fully address the problem.

Multi-Agency Operation Against Examination Fraud

The action follows extensive coordination between multiple government agencies and law enforcement organizations.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, played a key role in monitoring suspicious online activity and coordinating takedowns of fraudulent channels and groups.

Authorities said intelligence inputs were received from various state police departments, including Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan, leading to the removal of numerous channels promoting fake paper leak schemes.

Investigations conducted by cybercrime units reportedly uncovered organized fraud networks operating across multiple states and targeting thousands of students.

Students Advised to Ignore Fake Paper Leak Claims

The NTA has urged candidates and parents not to fall for promises of leaked examination papers or guaranteed access to question sets.

Officials stressed that all examination materials remain secure and that any individual claiming otherwise is attempting to commit fraud.

Candidates have been advised to rely only on official NTA communication channels and the official NEET website for authentic updates regarding the examination.

The agency also encouraged students to focus on preparation rather than unverified information circulating online.

NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam to Proceed as Scheduled

Despite concerns regarding misinformation campaigns and online fraud, the NTA confirmed that the NEET UG 2026 re-examination will be conducted as scheduled on June 21.

Officials emphasized that the security of the examination remains intact and that the recent measures have been implemented precisely to strengthen the credibility and fairness of the process.

The agency reassured students that every effort is being made to ensure a transparent and secure examination environment.

The temporary restriction on Telegram and the suspension of its message-editing feature mark one of the most significant anti-cheating measures taken ahead of a major national examination. Authorities believe the action will help curb online fraud, prevent fake paper leak claims and protect students from being exploited by criminal networks.

As the NEET UG 2026 re-examination approaches, officials continue to urge candidates to remain vigilant, avoid scams and depend solely on verified sources of information.