Key Facts
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has publicly criticised the Indian government's temporary ban on the messaging app, imposed ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21. The ban, which took effect on June 16, blocks access to Telegram in India until June 22, and also requires the platform to disable its message-editing feature for Indian users until June 30.
Durov's Response
In a post on X, Durov stated: “India’s IT ministry banned Telegram for one week because some users shared leaked exam questions. This punishes 150M+ ordinary Telegram users in India — not the insiders who leaked the exam materials.” He further noted that the ban has not been effective in stopping leaks, adding: “And the ban hasn't stopped anything. The leaks just moved to other apps.”
NTA's Explanation
The National Testing Agency (NTA) had earlier exposed large-scale scam networks operating on Telegram. NTA Director General Abhishek Singh explained in a video message that some channels were demanding ₹14,000 to ₹25,000, and even up to ₹10 lakh, claiming to provide the re-exam paper. He clarified: “There is no leaked paper for the re-exam. The money is gone the moment you transfer it. Your admit card and WhatsApp number, if you sent them, become the tools they use to scam the next student.”
NTA also warned about fake 'proof' videos showing edited timestamps. Singh elaborated: “On Telegram, whoever runs a channel can edit any old message AND change what's inside it, while the date on the message stays the same. So a message edited on the 4th can be made to look exactly like it was sent on the 1st.” IIT Madras director V Kamakoti demonstrated how such manipulations can fabricate evidence of paper leaks.
Ban Implementation
The government directed Google and Apple to remove Telegram from their app stores. As of June 16, 9 pm, the app was unavailable on Android, with users seeing the message “this app is not available.” On Apple devices, while the app remained visible, new accounts could not be activated. The government is also in discussions with Telegram to temporarily disable the message-editing feature for all Indian users until June 30.
Internet Freedom Foundation's Criticism
The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) strongly criticised the ban, calling it a “blunt, nationwide measure aimed at the conduct of rampant fraud rackets, and on the Government's own admission is constitutionally incompatible.” IFF argued that the ban is a disproportionate response and a band-aid solution. It pointed out that Section 69A of the IT Act allows blocking only specific information, not entire platforms, and cannot compel a company to redesign its product.
What Readers Should Know
- The NEET-UG re-exam is scheduled for June 21, 2026, after the previous exam on May 3 was cancelled due to alleged paper leaks.
- NTA has urged students and parents not to fall for scams promising leaked papers or to forward such messages.
- NTA Director General Abhishek Singh assured: “We will not let anything go wrong. We will take all possible actions to ensure that the examination is conducted without any malpractice.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India ban Telegram?
India's IT ministry banned Telegram for one week ahead of the NEET-UG re-exam after NTA uncovered scam networks using the app to sell fake leaked papers.
How long is the Telegram ban in India?
The ban is effective until June 22, 2026. Additionally, Telegram has been asked to disable message editing for Indian users until June 30.
What did Pavel Durov say about the ban?
Durov criticised the ban, stating it punishes 150M+ ordinary users instead of the actual leakers, and noted that leaks have simply moved to other apps.
Is the NEET-UG re-exam happening as scheduled?
Yes, the re-exam is scheduled for June 21, 2026. NTA has assured strict measures to prevent malpractice.