NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday ordered a temporary restriction on access to messaging platform Telegram ahead of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination, citing concerns over the spread of misleading content related to exam integrity. The National Testing Agency (NTA) welcomed the move, alleging that certain features of the app had been exploited to create fabricated “paper leak” evidence after examinations were conducted.“The National Testing Agency (NTA) welcomes the directions issued today in respect of the Telegram platform in India,” it said in a statement.“The directions, issued on recommendations of NTA are calibrated and bounded in time: a direction under Section 69 A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, restricting access to the Telegram platform in India for a defined and limited period ending 22 June 2026, covering the day of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination and its immediate aftermath; and a direction requiring the platform to disable, in India, the message-oditing feature in respect of messages already posted, for a defined period ending 30 June 2026, addressing the specific structural feature through which the platform has been used to fabricate after-the-event “paper leak” evidence in respect of national examinations,” it added.Union home secretary Govind Mohan on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting on preparations for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, stressing the need for enhanced security, transparency and candidate convenience in the wake of the paper leak controversy. During the meeting, Mohan directed state governments, Union territories and central agencies to implement stringent security measures to ensure the re-exam is conducted without any lapses. He underscored a zero-tolerance approach to irregularities, particularly after concerns that prompted authorities to order a re-test at select centres.The NTA has scheduled the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination for June 21 after cancelling the May 3 test over allegations of a question paper leak. Around 2.28 million candidates had appeared for the exam at more than 5,000 centres nationwide, and the decision to scrap the test came as a major setback for many aspirants.
