Telegram blocked in India ahead of NEET 2026 re-exam
Just ahead of the NEET 2026 re-exam, India's major telecom operators have blocked Telegram across their networks on government directions and had it unavailable on Google's Play Store in India and had Apple begin the process of removing it from the App Store.
This move comes after reports that scammers were using the app to spread fake NEET "paper leaks" and trick students and their families out of money.
Authorities blame Telegram message editing
Authorities say Telegram's message-editing feature made it easy for fraudsters to fake evidence.
The arrest of members of an alleged inter-state cyber fraud network by Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch and shady channels removed, but critics like the Internet Freedom Foundation feel blocking Telegram hurts legitimate users too.
The NTA insists the exam is secure and urges students not to fall for rumors.