Messaging application Telegram on Wednesday approached the Delhi High Court (HC), a day after the Union Government restricted access to the app in India ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination, according to reports.
The case was listed before a bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, and the court has agreed to hear it on an urgent basis. The legal challenge comes after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed authorities to temporarily suspend the platform across India until June 22, 2026, voicing concerns surrounding the integrity of the pan-India medical entrance exam scheduled for June 21.
Representative image
Message editing feature too disabled
Additionally, the Centre has also disabled the app’s message-editing feature in India until June 30, 2026. The measures were issued after the Centre received recommendations from National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for conducting the exam.
Centre cites public order, exam integrity
Telegram
The NTA issued a statement on June 16, underlining that the restrictions were imposed in the interest of public order and to counter the alleged misuse of digital platforms by organised cheating networks.
As per the agency, the action was taken in response to concerns that certain groups may have used Telegram to circulate unauthorised exam-related content and mislead the exam-bound candidates appearing for the NEET UG 2026 re-test.
The re-exam was announced after the NEET UG 2026 exam, originally held on May 3, was cancelled following allegations of a question paper leak, raising concerns over nationwide scrutiny of examination processes and security protocols.
Officials familiar with the development said that the temporary restrictions are intended to prevent the propagation of misinformation and curb the circulation of unverified claims during the crucial period leading up to the examination.
Telegram founder slams move
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov
Telegram move Pavel Durov publicly criticised the government’s decision, arguing that the restrictions unfairly affect millions of ordinary users. In a message posted on social media platform ‘X,’ Durov said the suspension penalises legitimate users rather than those allegedly responsible for leaking the exam material. He further claimed that restricting Telegram would not necessarily prevent the spread of such content, suggesting that users could simply migrate to alternative platforms.
App taken down from Play Store
After the Union Government’s directive, Telegram was also removed from the Google Play Store in India. Sources within MeitY indicated that access to the app may be restored after June 22.
However, authorities have maintained that the editing feature on the app shall remain disabled till June 30, 2026.