Government restricts Telegram access and message editing in India to curb NEET UG paper leak fraud
NEW DELHI, June 16, 2026 :- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued urgent directions restricting Telegram platform access and disabling its message-editing feature in India following recommendations from the National Testing Agency. As detailed across the press release a restriction under Section 69 A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, limits Telegram access for a defined period ending June 22, 2026, to secure the upcoming NEET UG 2026 re-examination and its immediate aftermath.
Additionally, the platform is required to disable its message-editing feature for existing posts until June 30, 2026. This targeted measure blocks a specific structural loophole used by cheating rackets to alter old messages, swap attachments like PDFs, and fabricate fraudulent, after-the-event evidence of exam paper leaks to exploit candidates.
A massive inter-agency effort spearheaded by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs, alongside the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has driven the operational response against this Telegram-based fraud. Working closely with the National Testing Agency and state law enforcement agencies, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre secured the prompt take-down of numerous public channels, groups, and bots that openly advertised fake papers under names like Paper Leaked NEET and Private Mafia.
These criminal syndicates demanded sums ranging from a few thousand to several lakhs of rupees from vulnerable candidates and their families. Law enforcement actions have intensified across multiple states, including a formal public advisory issued by the Bihar Police Economic Offences Unit on June 9, 2026, and the recent arrest of an interstate cyber fraud gang by the Ahmedabad City Cyber Crime Branch, which exposed a network operating eight Telegram channels that routed approximately 1.5 crore rupees through fraudulent bank accounts.
The National Testing Agency expressed sincere regrets for the temporary inconvenience caused to lakhs of legitimate citizens who use Telegram for personal, professional, or educational communication, clarifying that ordinary messaging capabilities remain unaffected and that these time-bound restrictions are a measure of last resort to protect public order.
Parents and candidates are strongly reassured that the security of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination remains entirely unaffected by these fraudulent digital activities, and the exam will proceed as scheduled on June 21, 2026. The testing authority urged candidates to disregard unverified online content, rely exclusively on official platforms for updates, and immediately report any encounters with fraudulent solicitations to the National Cyber-Crime Helpline at 1930 or the official cybercrime reporting portal.