India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Even after the expiry of the government’s temporary restriction period, several users across India continue to report issues accessing the messaging platform Telegram, which had been blocked ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 retest.
The Centre had ordered a nationwide block on Telegram under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, as part of preventive measures linked to exam security concerns. The restriction period officially ended on June 22, but reports suggest that access remains inconsistent for many users.
Access issues persist for Indian Telegram users after a temporary block, implemented under Section 69A of the IT Act due to NEET-UG 2026 retest security concerns, expired on June 22; authorities cite phased restoration.
Why was Telegram banned?
The interim order issued on June 16 directed the blocking of Telegram and associated URLs across India until June 22. Authorities cited concerns over the misuse of the platform ahead of the NEET-UG retest scheduled on June 21.
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 retest was announced after the original May 3 examination was cancelled due to alleged irregularities and suspected paper leaks.
Officials said the action was intended to prevent any disruption or malpractice during the crucial examination period.
What restrictions were imposed on Telegram?
Along with the temporary block, the government also directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature until June 30. This measure was reportedly aimed at preventing users from altering or deleting evidence of leaked content.
Section 69A of the IT Act allows the Centre to block access to online information if it is deemed necessary in the interest of public order or national security.
Is Telegram still blocked in India?
While the official restriction period has ended, user experiences remain mixed.
Some users report that Telegram is now accessible
Others say the app is still not working or messages are failing to send
Several iPhone users also reported that Telegram is missing from the App Store listing in India
The inconsistency has led to confusion over whether the platform has been fully restored nationwide.
What do officials say?
According to an IT official quoted in reports, there are no plans to extend the ban further. The ongoing disruption, they said, is likely due to a phased restoration process rather than a continued government restriction.
However, there has been no formal nationwide announcement confirming complete restoration.
Telegram is widely used among students for sharing study materials, but authorities raised concerns over its misuse during exam periods.
During court hearings, officials alleged that certain Telegram channels were involved in selling fake question papers for amounts as high as ₹10 lakh. There were also concerns that the platform’s message-editing feature was being used to erase traces of leaked content.
The issue reached the Delhi High Court on June 19, where the curbs were upheld. The court observed that the restrictions were justified given the need to protect the integrity of a national-level examination and safeguard the interests of millions of students.
