New Delhi: In a major move aimed at ensuring the integrity and security of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination, the Central Government has restricted access to the messaging platform Telegram across India until June 22. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the order under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, citing concerns over cheating networks and alleged question paper leak rackets.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) welcomed the decision, stating that the measure has been taken in the interest of students and to uphold transparency in one of the country’s largest entrance examinations.

In a separate directive, the government has also ordered Telegram’s message-editing feature to remain disabled in India until June 30. According to the NTA, certain fraud groups were allegedly editing old messages to insert examination questions after the fact and then presenting them as evidence of a paper leak. The agency emphasized that claims of obtaining genuine question papers outside the secure examination system are entirely false and should not be trusted.

Over the past several weeks, multiple Telegram channels operating under names such as “Paper Leaked NEET,” “Re-NEET 2026,” and “Private Mafia” had reportedly been targeting anxious students and parents. These channels allegedly demanded payments ranging from thousands to lakhs of rupees, claiming they could provide access to the actual examination paper. The NTA has described all such claims as fraudulent schemes designed to mislead candidates.

Investigative agencies have intensified their crackdown on these activities. The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch recently uncovered an inter-state network that was operating eight Telegram channels allegedly involved in targeting NEET aspirants. Investigators reportedly found transactions worth approximately ₹1.5 crore conducted through fake accounts, while nearly 1,000 mobile numbers were contacted within a month as part of the operation. The Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police had earlier warned students against falling for such scams. Authorities are also working in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs to identify and remove suspicious channels.

The NTA acknowledged that the temporary restriction on Telegram may inconvenience millions of legitimate users who rely on the platform for education, business, and personal communication. However, the agency stressed that examination security remains the top priority. It clarified that the restriction is temporary and is expected to be lifted after June 22.

Meanwhile, the NTA has sought to reassure candidates regarding preparations for the re-examination. On Tuesday morning, the agency announced that more than one million candidates had downloaded their admit cards within 24 hours of release. Technical teams are reportedly monitoring server performance round the clock to ensure smooth access for all applicants.

The original NEET UG examination conducted on May 3 was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a question paper leak. More than 2.2 million candidates are now expected to appear for the re-examination scheduled on June 21.

Authorities have urged students and parents not to rely on unverified information, social media posts, or claims regarding leaked question papers. Anyone offering examination papers or promising assistance in exchange for money should be reported immediately through the national cybercrime helpline, 1930. Government agencies have stated that extensive monitoring and security measures are being implemented to ensure that the re-examination is conducted in a fair, transparent, and credible manner.