News Delhi: Telegram has moved the Delhi High Court against the Indian government’s decision to temporarily block access to the messaging platform just days before millions of students retake the crucial National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test.
The challenge was mentioned before the court, a day after authorities imposed the restriction over concerns that Telegram had been used to circulate leaked examination papers. The court agreed to hear the matter later in the day, according to legal reports.
The government has defended the move as necessary to protect the integrity of the NEET retest scheduled for June 20. Last month’s examination was cancelled after allegations emerged that question papers had been leaked before the test, prompting nationwide protests and a criminal investigation.
Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov, criticised the ban, calling it a ‘mistake’ that would inconvenience millions of legitimate users while doing little to stop those behind the leak. Durov added that Telegram had removed ‘hundreds of channels sharing leaked exam materials and related scams in India’ in recent weeks and was making its ‘edited’ label more visible to help prevent backdating scams.
India’s IT ministry banned Telegram for one week because some users shared leaked exam questions.
This punishes 150M+ ordinary Telegram users in India — not the insiders who leaked the exam materials.
And the ban hasn’t stopped anything. The leaks just moved to other apps. https://t.co/CzQWN4mXfb
— Pavel Durov (@durov) June 16, 2026
NEET leak controversy
The controversy centres on NEET, India’s largest medical entrance examination, taken by millions of students each year. The alleged paper leak triggered widespread anger among students, parents and opposition leaders, who accused authorities of failing to secure the examination process.
The case is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. More than a dozen people have reportedly been arrested so far. To prevent further irregularities, local media reports say Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters will be used to transport examination papers for the retest.
Government defends restriction
The National Testing Agency said the temporary ban was imposed because of the organised use of the platform by cheating rackets to defraud candidates. However, the agency acknowledged that the restriction would inconvenience users who depend on Telegram for legitimate personal, educational, professional and informational purposes.
The order was issued under provisions of India’s IT law that allow the government to block online platforms in the interest of the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
Debate over effectiveness
The move has sparked a broader debate over whether shutting down a platform used by millions is an effective way to combat examination fraud. Technology analyst Nikhil Pahwa questioned the logic of a nationwide restriction.
Opposition leaders also criticised the government. Mallikarjun Kharge said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should seek the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of the examination crisis.
Students divided
Telegram says it has more than 150 million active users in India, many of whom rely on public groups and channels for free study material and educational resources. Some students supported the temporary restriction but said authorities should focus on those responsible for the leak rather than ordinary users.
As the Delhi High Court prepares to hear Telegram’s challenge, the case has become a major test of how far governments can go in restricting digital platforms to tackle fraud and protect public examinations.
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