Ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, the union government has temporarily restricted access to the messaging platform Telegram in India to curb the spread of fake question papers, misinformation and alleged exam-related fraud.
The temporary restriction came into effect on Tuesday and will remain in place until June 22, just a day after the re-examination scheduled for June 21. Authorities said the decision was taken as part of efforts to ensure a fair and transparent examination process amid concerns over alleged paper leaks and scams targeting students.
Government Restricts Telegram Before NEET-UG Re-Exam
According to officials, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued directions to temporarily limit access to Telegram after the National Testing Agency (NTA) raised concerns about the platform being used to spread misleading content related to the exam.
The government has also reportedly asked Telegram to disable its message-editing feature until June 30, following recommendations from the NTA. Officials believe the feature could be misused to alter messages and spread fake information linked to examination papers.
The move comes after the NEET-UG controversy triggered widespread concerns over exam integrity and allegations of paper leaks.
NTA Flags Fake NEET Paper Leak Channels
The NTA welcomed the Centre’s decision, saying the restrictions are aimed at protecting students and their families from fraud ahead of the re-examination.
Officials claimed several Telegram channels using names such as “PAPER LEAKED NEET”, “Re-NEET 2026” and “Private Mafia” were allegedly misleading candidates by promising access to exam papers in exchange for money.
According to the agency, these groups reportedly demanded payments ranging from a few thousand rupees to several lakh rupees from anxious students and parents through false promises of leaked papers and manipulation of examination results.
An official said that earlier attempts to remove specific channels from Telegram had not been enough to stop organised networks spreading misinformation.
Enhanced Security for NEET-UG 2026 Re-Exam
Authorities said the temporary Telegram restrictions are part of a broader strategy to prevent malpractice and maintain the credibility of the medical entrance exam.
The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be held on June 21 at designated centres under stricter monitoring and enhanced security arrangements. Officials said additional measures have been introduced to ensure a smooth and transparent process for lakhs of candidates appearing in the re-test.
The government has urged students and parents not to trust unverified claims on social media and to rely only on official information released by the NTA regarding the examination process.
