New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the Centre’s decision to temporarily block Telegram ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination, ruling that the restriction was justified to safeguard the integrity of the examination process.
The temporary suspension, which will remain in force until June 22, was imposed as part of efforts to prevent the circulation of leaked examination material and curb misuse of the platform during the re-test. Telegram had challenged the move, arguing that the restriction was excessive and unlawful, but the court found the government’s action to be proportionate and legally valid under the circumstances.
The court observed that authorities had followed the procedure laid down under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act and had adopted the least restrictive option available while responding to an emergency situation. It also rejected claims that the decision was arbitrary, noting that the government’s order was based on relevant material and adequate consideration.
During the proceedings, the Centre presented a strong defence of the ban, arguing that Telegram had increasingly become a platform used for illegal activities and the spread of misleading information. The government alleged that the application had been used to circulate leaked examination papers and facilitate scams targeting students preparing for competitive exams.
Authorities further claimed that Telegram’s anonymity and privacy features had made it attractive to cybercriminals, fraud networks and other unlawful groups. The government alleged that the platform was being exploited for activities ranging from cybercrime and financial fraud to drug trafficking, extremist propaganda and the circulation of illegal content.
The temporary restriction was imposed following recommendations from the National Testing Agency and the Department of Higher Education. Officials argued that the measure was necessary to ensure a fair and secure examination environment after allegations of question paper leaks led to the cancellation of earlier results.
In addition to the temporary block, the government has directed Telegram to disable its message editing feature in India until June 30 as an added precaution.
The NEET UG 2026 re-test is scheduled to take place on June 21 under enhanced security arrangements, with authorities aiming to restore confidence in the examination process and prevent any further irregularities.
