Messaging Platform Restored Following End of Government-Imposed Block
Telegram services have resumed across India after the Centre lifted temporary restrictions that had been imposed ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination to curb the spread of fake question papers and misinformation.
The messaging platform is once again available for download through major app stores, allowing users to access its services after a week-long disruption. However, the platform’s message editing feature will remain disabled until June 30.
Restrictions Introduced Ahead of NEET Re-Examination
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had temporarily blocked Telegram and its associated web services until June 22 as a precautionary measure linked to the NEET-UG re-examination.
The government alleged that the platform had failed to effectively prevent the circulation of fake examination papers, misleading content and other fraudulent activities related to the medical entrance test.
Before the restrictions were imposed, officials from the ministry reportedly held discussions with Telegram representatives on June 3 to address concerns surrounding the misuse of the platform.
No Major Fraud Reported During Re-Exam
The NEET-UG re-examination was successfully conducted on June 21, with authorities reporting no major incidents of question paper leaks or fraudulent activities during the process.
Following the completion of the examination, the temporary restrictions were withdrawn, restoring access to Telegram users across the country.
VPN Usage Surged During Block
The temporary ban triggered a sharp increase in VPN downloads as millions of users looked for alternative ways to access Telegram’s services while the restrictions remained in place.
Industry observers noted a significant spike in demand for VPN applications during the period of the government-imposed block.
Pavel Durov Criticised the Decision
Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov publicly criticised the temporary restrictions, arguing that the move affected more than 150 million legitimate users in India instead of targeting individuals responsible for sharing leaked examination material.
Durov also maintained that restricting access to one platform would not eliminate the circulation of leaked content, claiming such activities could simply shift to other digital platforms.
Reliance Jio Rejects Allegations
The Telegram chief also suggested that Reliance, referring to Reliance Jio, may have lobbied alongside WhatsApp in connection with the restrictions.
Reliance Jio denied the allegations, stating that it operates its network according to global standards of reliability, security and transparency.
The company further clarified that it had no involvement in any alleged BGP route misconfiguration and categorically rejected claims linking it to the temporary Telegram restrictions.
