Telegram moves Delhi HC against Centre’s temporary block order ahead of NEET re-test

Telegram Files Petition Against Centre’s Temporary Block Ahead of NEET Re-Test

Telegram moves Delhi HC against Centre’s temporary block order as the messaging app seeks to challenge the Centre’s decision to restrict access to its platform. The legal action comes in anticipation of the NEET UG re-examination, scheduled for June 21, which was postponed following allegations of exam irregularities. Telegram’s move highlights growing concerns over the impact of the restrictions on users and the effectiveness of the measures in curbing the alleged leaks of question papers.

NTA and MeitY Back Temporary Measures to Combat Fraud

The National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have defended the Centre’s decision to temporarily block Telegram. This action, effective until June 22, aims to prevent the spread of fraudulent information during the NEET UG re-test and its immediate aftermath. MeitY also mandated the disablement of message-editing features within India, extending the restriction until June 30. These measures were introduced after the NTA identified a large-scale scam on Telegram, where individuals were falsely selling access to “leaked re-exam papers.”

The scam reportedly involved charging students between ₹14,000 and ₹25,000, with some cases reaching as high as ₹10 lakh. Fraudsters used the app’s message-editing feature to alter content and preserve timestamps, making it easier to fabricate evidence of paper leaks. The NTA claims that these restrictions are critical to ensuring the integrity of the examination process and preventing misinformation that could compromise the results.

Telegram Founder Criticizes the Ban’s Broader Implications

“India’s IT ministry banned Telegram for one week because some users shared leaked exam questions. This punishes 150M+ ordinary Telegram users in India, not the insiders who leaked the exam materials. And the ban hasn’t stopped anything. The leaks just moved to other apps,”

—Pavel Durov, Telegram founder, posted on X. Durov argues that the temporary block targets the platform as a whole, unfairly affecting millions of users who rely on it for communication, business, and education. He emphasizes that the real culprits—those who sold leaked content—remain untouched, while the broader user base faces disruption. Durov also questions the effectiveness of the ban, suggesting that the fraudulent activity would likely continue on alternative platforms.

Legal Arguments and Impact on Students

Telegram’s petition before the Delhi High Court seeks to challenge the Centre’s temporary block as an overreach of authority. The app’s legal team argues that the restrictions limit access to vital educational resources and hinder the free flow of information. They highlight that the ban has not only affected students preparing for the re-test but also impacted other sectors reliant on Telegram, such as small businesses and educators.

The original NEET UG exam, held on May 3, was canceled due to widespread allegations of irregularities. The re-test is seen as a crucial opportunity to restore confidence in the examination system. However, the Centre’s decision to block Telegram has sparked debates over the balance between preventing fraud and protecting users’ rights. Legal experts suggest that the petition could set a precedent for how digital platforms are regulated during high-stakes exams.

Context of the NEET Re-Test and Previous Scandals

The NEET UG re-test is a high-profile event, as it determines the admission of thousands of students to medical colleges across India. The Centre and NTA have consistently maintained that the temporary measures are necessary to ensure transparency and fairness. They cite the NTA’s investigation into the scam, which revealed that unauthorized channels were actively selling leaked materials to students. The restriction on message-editing, in particular, is intended to preserve the original timing of messages and prevent tampering.

While the ban is in place until June 30, the N