Delhi High Court Upholds Temporary Ban on Telegram Over NEET Exam Leak Concerns

The Delhi High Court has upheld the Indian government’s temporary ban on Telegram, dismissing the company’s appeal. The restriction, which will remain until June 22, was imposed ahead of the NEET medical entrance exam retest due to concerns that some Telegram channels were spreading or selling leaked exam questions. The court ruled that the government acted lawfully and proportionately to protect the integrity of the exam. Telegram denied the allegations, calling the government’s claims inaccurate and saying it had taken steps to prevent misuse on its platform.

The Delhi High Court has upheld the Indian government’s decision to temporarily block the messaging platform Telegram, rejecting the company’s appeal against the order issued ahead of a nationwide medical entrance exam retest. The court ruled on Friday that the government’s action was legally valid, proportionate, and followed due procedure, meaning the restriction will remain in place until June 22.
The case is linked to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India’s highly competitive medical entrance examination. Authorities ordered the temporary blocking of Telegram after concerns emerged that some channels on the platform were allegedly circulating or selling leaked exam questions in advance of the retest. The exam itself is being conducted following the cancellation of earlier results due to allegations of a question paper leak.
Government officials argued that even the circulation of fake or unverified exam questions could seriously compromise the integrity of the examination process, mislead candidates, and create unfair advantages. They maintained that urgent intervention was necessary to protect the credibility of the exam system and ensure a level playing field for all students.
Telegram challenged the order in court, disputing the government’s version of events and describing its account as one-sided and inaccurate. The company also said it had taken proactive steps to curb misuse on its platform and argued that the blocking order overlooked its moderation efforts and internal compliance measures.
Despite Telegram’s objections, the Delhi High Court sided with the government, allowing the temporary ban to continue. As a result, the platform has been rendered inaccessible in India during the restriction period and has also been removed from app stores in connection with the enforcement action.
The dispute has drawn significant attention because it represents one of the most high-profile legal confrontations between a global technology company and Indian authorities in recent years. Telegram has grown rapidly in India and is among the most widely downloaded messaging apps in the country, although it still trails WhatsApp in overall usage.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is scheduled to take place on Sunday, and millions of students are expected to sit for the exam, which determines admission into medical colleges across India. The government has defended its actions as necessary to prevent cheating and maintain trust in the examination process, while critics of platform bans argue that such measures raise concerns about proportionality and digital access.