Telegram blocked in India but VPNs keep it alive
What's the story
Telegram, the popular instant messaging app, has been temporarily blocked for existing users in India. The move comes as part of a government effort to prevent paper leaks during the upcoming NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21. Google and Apple have both removed the app from their stores in compliance with this order. However, users can still access Telegram via Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which easily bypass domestic restrictions by rerouting user traffic through international servers.
Official action
Government's ban on Telegram explained
The Indian government has directed Google and Apple to remove the Telegram app from their stores until June 22. This is part of an effort to prevent paper leaks during the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. In addition, a separate order has been issued for Telegram to disable its message-editing feature for already-posted messages in India until June 30. This is aimed at preventing the creation of "after-the-event" evidence related to national examinations.
CEO's statement
Telegram CEO criticizes the ban
Responding to the ban, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said it won't stop paper leaks but rather shift them to other apps. He also claimed that the one-week ban punishes over 150 million Indian users of the app, not those who leaked exam materials. Durov further alleged that Reliance Group and its competitor WhatsApp may have lobbied for this ban on Telegram in India.