Centre Defends Telegram Ban, Says It Was Targeted and Linked to NEET Re-Exam Period

Centre Defends Telegram Curbs, Says Move Was Targeted To Prevent NEET-Related Fraud

The Centre on Wednesday defended its decision to temporarily restrict access to Telegram ahead of the NEET re-examination, arguing that the measure was aimed at preventing organised fraud and protecting students from scams in the wake of the paper leak controversy.

The government maintained that the action was neither a blanket ban nor an attempt to suppress discussions around the examination leak. Instead, officials described it as a “targeted, time-bound” intervention linked specifically to the re-exam period.

Government Cites Exam Security Concerns

The controversy stems from the cancellation of the NEET examination earlier this year following allegations that question papers had been leaked and circulated through online channels, including groups operating on Telegram.

According to government officials, several Telegram channels allegedly claimed to have access to leaked examination papers and used those claims to solicit money from students and parents. Authorities said some groups demanded payments ranging from Rs 14,000 to Rs 25,000, while others allegedly sought much larger sums by promising access to confidential exam material.

Officials argued that the issue extended beyond misinformation and involved a broader ecosystem of fraud exploiting students’ anxiety surrounding competitive examinations.

Limited Restrictions During Re-Exam Window

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology reportedly ordered restrictions on Telegram access until the completion of the NEET re-examination. Certain platform features, including message-editing functions, are expected to remain restricted for a longer period.

Government sources said the ability to edit older messages while retaining original timestamps could be misused to create the false impression that leaked question papers had been shared before an examination took place. Such content, officials claim, can fuel panic and lend credibility to fraudulent schemes.

Telegram Challenges Government Order

The restrictions have been challenged before the Delhi High Court by Telegram and its founder, Pavel Durov.

Durov criticised the government’s action, arguing that it unfairly affected millions of legitimate users while failing to address those responsible for leaking or circulating examination material. He said the restrictions inconvenienced ordinary users rather than targeting the actual perpetrators of the fraud.

Centre Points To Enforcement Challenges

Government officials also highlighted difficulties faced by enforcement agencies in securing timely cooperation during investigations. According to sources, authorities have raised concerns about the absence of a local grievance redressal mechanism and challenges in obtaining information required for cybercrime and fraud investigations.

The Centre further noted that several countries have imposed temporary restrictions on digital platforms during examination periods or for law-enforcement purposes, arguing that India’s action was narrower in scope because it was limited to a specific platform and tied to a defined examination window.