Telegram Temporarily Restricted in India Ahead of NEET Re-Exam to Prevent Fake Paper Leak Scams

The Indian government has temporarily restricted access to Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, following recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Officials said the move aims to curb the spread of fake question papers, misinformation campaigns, and online fraud targeting students appearing for the medical entrance examination.

According to the NTA, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed internet service providers to limit Telegram access in India until June 22. Additionally, Telegram’s message-editing feature has reportedly been disabled in the country until June 30.

Why Telegram Came Under Investigation

The NTA claimed that several Telegram channels, bots, and groups were allegedly being used to falsely advertise leaked NEET papers in exchange for money.

Authorities stated that some fraud networks demanded payments ranging from a few thousand rupees to several lakhs while promising access to “confirmed” examination papers.

The agency warned that all such claims are fake and intended to scam students and parents.

Telegram’s Editing Feature Raised Major Concerns

One of the key reasons behind the restrictions was Telegram’s advanced message-editing capability.

According to officials, channel administrators allegedly edited old posts after examinations ended and later replaced attachments with actual question papers while retaining the original timestamps. These altered posts were then circulated online as “proof” that papers had leaked before the examination.

The NTA believes temporarily disabling the editing feature could help reduce the spread of fabricated leak claims during the re-examination period.

Cybercrime Agencies Launch Crackdown

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has reportedly been coordinating action against Telegram-based scam operations linked to fake exam paper claims.

Authorities said multiple channels and groups involved in spreading misinformation have already been removed.

In a recent operation, investigators in Ahmedabad reportedly arrested members of an alleged inter-state cyber fraud network accused of operating several Telegram channels related to fake exam paper scams. Officials claimed the network handled transactions worth nearly ₹1.5 crore and contacted hundreds of students.

Meanwhile, Bihar Police also issued public advisories urging candidates not to trust any social media claims regarding leaked papers.

NTA Advises Students to Ignore Fake Claims

The NTA reiterated that NEET question papers remain secured throughout the examination process and warned students against engaging with anyone claiming to offer leaked papers.

Candidates have been advised to rely only on official updates published by the NTA and government authorities.

The agency also urged students and parents to immediately report suspicious messages, groups, or payment demands related to examination leaks to cybercrime authorities.

Temporary Restriction Ahead of Exam

Officials clarified that the restriction on Telegram is temporary and linked specifically to maintaining examination integrity during the NEET re-test period.

The government stated that the restriction is expected to end on June 22, while Telegram’s editing limitation may continue until June 30.

The NTA added that the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will proceed as scheduled on June 21 with enhanced security monitoring measures in place.