India has temporarily blocked access to the Telegram messaging platform until June 22, citing concerns that organized cheating networks were using the app to facilitate fraud linked to the country's national medical entrance examination, reports The Reuters.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education said the restriction was imposed under provisions of India's information technology laws, which allow the government to block online services in the interest of national security and public order.
The move comes ahead of the re-examination of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scheduled for June 21. Authorities said Telegram had been used by cheating syndicates to circulate leaked exam materials and defraud candidates.
The paper leaks led to a series of protest by students in different parts of the country, including sporadic demonstrations by India's viral Cockroach Janta Party demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Indian government has scheduled a fresh examination for June 21.
The measure on Telegram was taken "in response to the organised use of the platform by cheating rackets to defraud candidates appearing for the NEET 2026 re-examination scheduled on 21 June 2026," said the Ministry of Education's National Testing Agency.
Telegram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Telegram application was working in India until at least 0630 GMT on Tuesday.
Telegram has grown rapidly in India and the country is its biggest market by downloads, although WhatsApp remains the dominant messaging platform. That makes the temporary restriction a rare and sweeping intervention for a service used well beyond politics and news.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
