Hours after the Centre declared to have blocked Telegram app ahead of NEET UG exam, multiple users have reported to be able to access the messaging app.
Users on X began flagging the issue shortly after the ban was announced, with several reporting they could open Telegram, send messages and even create new accounts without any hindrance.
Earlier today, the government of India temporarily invoked Section 69 A of the IT Act 2000 restricting access to Telegram in India, citing concerns that organized cheating and cyber fraud networks were using the platform to spread fake paper leak claims and exploit students.
Why is the complete block not imposed
It is important to note that the ban is not a blanket permanent ban but a temporrary restriction. In two orders, the government issued- the Meity on the recommendation of the National Testing Agency (NTA), restricts access to Telegram in India under Section 69A of the IT Act. In the second order, Telegram has to disable its message-editing feature in India for messages already posted, until June 30, 2026. This targets a specific method used to fabricate fake paper leak evidence.
The move came as channels operating under names such as ‘PAPER LEAKED NEET’, ‘Re-NEET 2026’, ‘Private Mafia’, and ‘REE NEET MAFIAA’ demanded sums ranging from a few thousand to several lakhs of rupees from candidates and their families for purported access to the re-examination paper.
In a separate attempt, the NTA has launched a dedicated online portal to help students and the public report fake claims related to the NEET UG 2026 re-exam.
The portal has been created to receive information about malicious activities linked to the examination. Students, parents and members of the public can use it to report claims of paper leaks, unauthorised access to question papers, impersonation attempts, or any other content that appears misleading.
The information submitted will be analyzed and forwarded to the law department if necessary.Besides, students have been urged not to fall for random claims on question paper leak and other official announcements.
Following a months scrutiny , the NTA describes Telegram channels allegedly promising access to examination papers, collecting money from candidates and circulating misleading content related to the country’s largest medical entrance examination
NEET re-exam is scheduled on June 21.