The Delhi High Court upheld the Indian government's decision to temporarily ban the messaging platform Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.
The ruling underscores the government's priority of exam integrity over digital communication access during high-stakes national testing. By restricting the app, authorities aim to dismantle networks that use the platform to distribute leaked papers or fabricate answers.
Justice Tejas Karia presided over the case and determined that the restriction was a necessary step to curb malpractice. The court noted that the order is well-founded and proportionate to prevent misuse for exam leaks and cheating, Karia said.
The ban was enacted under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act [3]. This legal provision allows the central government to block public access to information in the interest of national security or public order.
The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination is scheduled for June 21, 2024 [2]. To ensure the process remains fair, the court ruled that the ban will remain in effect until June 22, 2024 [1].
Legal challenges against the ban were rejected by the court. Karia said the measures taken are proportionate to address concerns over NEET-UG 2026 re-examination malpractice.
A court spokesperson said the ban will remain in effect until June 22 to ensure fairness in the re-exam.
“The order is well-founded and proportionate to prevent misuse for exam leaks and cheating.”
This decision reflects a growing trend in India where the state invokes the Information Technology Act to implement short-term, targeted internet shutdowns or app bans to maintain the sanctity of public examinations. It establishes a legal precedent that the potential for academic fraud can justify the temporary suspension of a major communication tool for millions of users.
