India Blocks Telegram to Curb Exam Fraud: NEET's Controversial Fallout

India has temporarily blocked the Telegram app over allegations of exam fraud concerning the NEET medical entrance test. The app was allegedly used by cheating rackets to sell leaked exam papers, leading to protests and exam cancellations. The ban will last until June 22, sparking free speech concerns.

The Indian government has temporarily banned Telegram, a widely-used messaging app, citing allegations of its involvement in exam fraud. This drastic measure comes amid nationwide controversies following the leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam papers last month, which led to the cancellation of millions of results.

In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Education's National Testing Agency announced that the platform was used by organized cheating rackets aiming to defraud candidates appearing for the NEET 2026 re-examination. The ban is set to remain in place until June 22, raising concerns about free speech and overreach.

The decision provoked protests, notably from the Cockroach Janta Party, who demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Critics, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, argue that this act punishes legitimate users without addressing the core issue of exam paper leaks. Efforts to remove illicit content from Telegram before resorting to the ban were reportedly unsuccessful.