Messaging platform Telegram has returned to the Google Play Store after the Indian government's temporary nationwide restriction on the service expired following the completion of the national eligibility-cum-entrance test (NEET-UG) 2026 re-examination, conducted amid concerns over organised cheating networks and fake paper-leak claims.
The government had blocked access to Telegram between 16th June and 22 June 2026 after National Testing Agency (NTA) sought intervention, alleging that the platform was being misused by organised rackets to spread misinformation, run examination-related scams and exploit candidates appearing for the medical entrance examination.
While Telegram became available again on Google's Android app marketplace on Tuesday, the application remained unavailable on Apple's App Store for several hours after the restrictions expired.
Existing users also reported that the messaging platform gradually became operational after the temporary suspension ended at midnight on 22 June 2026.
Editing Feature To Remain Disabled
Although the blanket restriction on Telegram has ended, the government's separate direction requiring the platform to disable its message-editing feature in India will continue until 30 June 2026.
According to NTA, the editing restriction was introduced to prevent the creation of fabricated evidence of question-paper leaks.
Authorities alleged that Telegram's editing functionality allowed channel administrators to modify previously published messages and replace attached files while retaining the original timestamp.
Investigators claimed that this feature had been exploited in previous examinations by posting harmless messages before the exam and later replacing them with the actual question papers after the exam concluded. Screenshots of such edited posts were then circulated as purported proof that the paper had leaked before the test.
NTA argued that temporarily disabling the feature would prevent the creation of such post-examination 'paper leak' artefacts during the sensitive period following the NEET re-examination.
Restrictions Linked to NEET Re-examination
The temporary restrictions were imposed ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination held on 21 June 2026.
NTA said the measures were necessary to counter organised cheating networks that were allegedly using Telegram channels to deceive students by claiming access to examination papers.
According to the agency, several channels openly advertised purported access to NEET question papers and demanded payments ranging from a few thousand rupees to several lakh rupees from candidates and their families.
The agency maintained that no examination paper existed outside the secured examination chain and warned students that any promise of advance access to question papers was fraudulent.
The government described the temporary suspension of Telegram as a precautionary measure taken in the interest of public order.
Delhi High Court Upheld Centre's Action
The Union government's decision to suspend Telegram services and restrict its editing feature was challenged before the Delhi High Court by Telegram FZ LLC.
However, the High Court upheld the government's action, ruling that authorities had followed the procedure prescribed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act while invoking emergency blocking powers.
According to media reports, the court held that the restrictions satisfied the proportionality test and were justified given the circumstances surrounding the nationwide examination.
The court observed that the government had adequately recorded reasons for invoking emergency powers and had complied with statutory requirements under the law.
Crackdown on Examination Fraud Networks
NTA credited the Indian cybercrime coordination centre (I4C), operating under the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA), for coordinating enforcement action against Telegram-based examination-fraud networks.
According to the agency, authorities had been monitoring public channels and online platforms and coordinating with police forces across several states.
Acting on intelligence inputs, law enforcement agencies reportedly facilitated the removal of numerous Telegram channels, groups, and bots allegedly involved in spreading fraudulent claims about the examination.
NTA said the government resorted to platform-level restrictions only after intermediary measures, including channel-specific takedowns, failed to adequately address the problem.
NEET Re-exam Conducted without Major Incident
The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination was conducted successfully on 21st June, with no reports of paper leaks or other major fraudulent activities emerging so far.
Officials indicated that the Centre does not intend to extend the temporary Telegram ban beyond 22 June 2026, suggesting that normal access to the platform will continue while the message-editing restriction remains in force until the end of the month.
The government has maintained that the measures were limited in duration and scope and were aimed at protecting the integrity of one of India's most important entrance examinations while minimising disruption to legitimate users of the platform.
