Internet Freedom Foundation criticises India’s Telegram block over NEET exam fraud concerns

The Internet Freedom Foundation has criticised India’s decision to restrict access to Telegram over concerns linked to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate, known as NEET UG.

According to the group, the National Testing Agency recommended action against Telegram after concerns about fraud rackets around the 2026 NEET UG re-examination. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, known as MeitY, then restricted access to Telegram in India under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, until 22 June 2026.

The Internet Freedom Foundation, or IFF, said the government also ordered Telegram to disable message editing for all Indian users until 30 June 2026.

IFF argues that the measure is too broad. It says Section 69A allows the government to block access to specific online information, but not to shut down an entire platform used by large numbers of people for lawful purposes.

The group also questioned the legal basis for the order requiring Telegram to remove its message-editing function in India. It said the official release did not identify the legal power used for that direction.

IFF said the government’s own explanation weakens the case for a platform-wide block. The National Testing Agency said many Telegram channels, groups and bots had already been taken down and that this targeted action had helped contain the harm. IFF argues that if targeted takedowns were working, a full block was not necessary.

The group also pointed to the effect on students. Telegram is widely used for study groups, doubt-clearing and sharing learning material. The restriction came in the final days of NEET preparation, when many students rely on such online resources.

IFF said the measure is unlikely to stop determined fraud networks, which can move to other channels, mirrors or virtual private networks. In its view, the block will mainly affect ordinary users while failing to address the source of exam leaks, which it says is likely to be inside the examination system, including printing and logistics chains.

The group also raised transparency concerns. It said only the National Testing Agency’s press release had been made public, while the reasoned MeitY order had not been released. IFF cited the Supreme Court’s Anuradha Bhasin judgment, which requires access restriction orders to be published so they can be challenged in court.

IFF called on the government to publish the MeitY order and the National Testing Agency recommendation, explain the legal basis for the message-editing direction, confirm whether Telegram was given a hearing, and lift the platform-wide restriction.

The group said the NEET UG re-examination should be protected, but argued that this should be done by securing the examination process rather than blocking a platform used by many lawful users.