The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Monday welcomed the Centre’s decision to impose temporary restrictions on Telegram in India ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21. The agency said the measure is aimed at preventing examination-related fraud and the spread of misinformation during the crucial examination period.
According to the NTA, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered a temporary restriction on access to Telegram across India until June 22. In addition, the government has directed the messaging platform to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30.
The agency stated that the restrictions were introduced following recommendations made by the NTA to safeguard the integrity of the re-examination process.
NEET UG exam controversy
The NEET UG examination was held on May 3, 2026. The controversy surrounding the latest NEET-UG examination intensified after allegations emerged that exam-related material resembling the actual question paper had circulated on WhatsApp and Telegram before the test conducted on May 3.
Following concerns over the integrity of the examination process, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the exam on May 12 and referred the matter for investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The alleged paper leak triggered widespread protests across the country, with demonstrators demanding accountability. A youth-led protest under the Cockroach Janta Party banner also called for action and demanded the ouster of Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Concerns Over Misuse of Message-Editing Feature
The NTA said investigations revealed that Telegram’s message-editing feature had been misused in recent examinations. According to the agency, some individuals allegedly edited previously posted messages after exams had concluded to create false claims of question paper leaks and mislead students.
Officials said the move is intended to curb such practices and maintain confidence in the examination system.
Action Taken Under IT Act 2000
In its statement, the NTA said Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India (MeitY) issued the directions under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The restrictions will remain in place for a limited period covering the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination and the immediate period following the test.
The agency noted that the decision was taken in the interest of public order and to prevent organised cheating networks from targeting candidates appearing for the re-examination.
NTA Thanks Government for Timely Intervention
The testing agency expressed gratitude to Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India (MeitY) for acting on its recommendations. It stated that the restrictions would help ensure a secure and fair examination environment for candidates appearing in the medical entrance test.
The NTA also highlighted the role of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in coordinating action against Telegram-based fraud and misinformation campaigns targeting students.
Ahmedabad Police Arrest Two in NEET Paper Scam
Meanwhile, the cybercrime branch of Ahmedabad Police arrested two members of an alleged inter-state cyber fraud network accused of promising students access to NEET re-examination question papers in exchange for money.
The accused, identified as Sumer Singh of Jaipur and Akash of Kota, Rajasthan, allegedly used multiple Telegram channels and accounts to circulate misleading claims that they could provide access to the examination papers before the June 21 test.
The Telegraph Online quoted the cybercrime branch as saying, “Under the pretext of providing the examination question paper and other confidential information, the accused obtained money from students and their parents. Investigation has revealed that the accused were using Telegram channels to carry out financial fraud by disseminating false information and misleading advertisements, thereby cheating students and their parents.”
“False, misleading and enticing advertisements, messages, and posts related to the examination were circulated through social media platforms and Telegram to attract students and their parents,” the cybercrime branch said.
Multiple Telegram Channels Used to Target Students
Investigators said the accused operated around eight Telegram channels linked to NEET-related activities, including one named “Raghav_singh_neet”. Authorities alleged that the channels were used to attract students and parents with false promises related to examination papers and other assurances connected to the retest.
Police said the investigation is ongoing to identify additional individuals associated with the operation.
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Bihar Student Arrested in Refund Diversion Case
In a separate development, the cybercrime branch arrested a 19-year-old student from Bihar in connection with an alleged scheme involving the diversion of NEET UG-2026 examination fee refunds.
The accused, identified as Navinkumar Shankar Prasad Yadav, a BSc student from Gaya, is alleged to have gained unauthorised access to the NEET portal using login credentials belonging to multiple candidates.
Probe Reveals Unauthorised Access to Candidate Accounts
According to investigators, the suspect allegedly obtained application numbers and passwords of students and used the information to redirect examination fee refunds meant for nearly 150 candidates into bank accounts under his control.
Authorities are continuing their probe into the case to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud and identify any possible accomplices.
