New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday welcomed the Central government’s decision to impose temporary restrictions on the Telegram messaging platform ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, describing the measure as a crucial step to prevent examination-related fraud and misinformation.
According to an official statement issued by the NTA, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered a temporary restriction on access to Telegram in India until June 22. In addition, the ministry has directed the platform to disable its message-editing feature for Indian users until June 30.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of social media and messaging platforms by individuals and organised groups allegedly attempting to exploit students appearing for the highly competitive medical entrance examination.
Government Cracks Down on Alleged Exam Fraud Networks
The NTA stated that several Telegram channels had been circulating misleading claims about having access to the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination question paper. These channels reportedly demanded money from candidates and their families in exchange for what they falsely claimed were leaked examination papers.
The agency clarified that such claims were fraudulent and intended to deceive students during a sensitive period leading up to the examination.
Officials noted that the temporary restriction was introduced to disrupt the activities of these networks and prevent the spread of misinformation that could create confusion, anxiety, and panic among candidates.
Message-Editing Feature Disabled to Prevent Fake Leak Claims
One of the key measures announced by the government involves disabling Telegram’s message-editing functionality in India until June 30.
According to the NTA, the feature could potentially be misused to fabricate evidence of question paper leaks. By editing older messages while retaining their original timestamps, individuals could falsely create the impression that examination-related content had been shared before the test was conducted.
Authorities believe restricting this feature will help prevent the circulation of manipulated screenshots and fabricated claims that could undermine public confidence in the examination process.
NTA Assures Candidates of Fair and Secure Examination
The NTA reiterated that the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be conducted as scheduled on June 21 under enhanced security and monitoring arrangements.
The agency urged candidates and parents not to trust unofficial sources, social media rumours, or individuals claiming to possess examination papers. Students have been advised to rely exclusively on official NTA notifications, websites, and verified communication channels for authentic information regarding the examination.
Officials emphasised that maintaining the integrity and transparency of the examination remains a top priority and that strict action would be taken against anyone found involved in malpractice or attempts to mislead candidates.
Multiple Agencies Collaborate to Protect Examination Integrity
The NTA also expressed gratitude to several government agencies for their support in combating examination-related fraud and cybercrime.
The agency acknowledged the role played by:
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- State Police Departments
These agencies have reportedly been working together to identify fraudulent networks, monitor suspicious online activities, and prevent the spread of misleading information linked to the examination.
Temporary Measures to Ensure Student Confidence
While acknowledging that the restrictions may cause inconvenience to genuine Telegram users, the NTA stated that the measures are temporary and have been introduced solely to safeguard the interests of lakhs of students appearing for the examination.
The agency stressed that protecting candidates from fraud, misinformation, and exploitation is essential to ensuring a fair examination environment and maintaining public trust in the country’s medical entrance examination system.
With the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination approaching, authorities continue to monitor digital platforms closely to prevent any attempts to compromise the examination process.
