Government Imposes Temporary Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET-UG 2026 Re-Examination
NEET-UG 2026 Re-Examination Update
In a significant move prior to the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, the government has enacted a temporary ban on Telegram. The NEET-UG exam is set for June 21, and this ban will last until June 22, with the message-editing feature disabled until June 30. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that this decision was made to ensure the exam's integrity and security.
The NTA reported that certain groups were exploiting Telegram channels to scam students and their families by falsely claiming they could provide the exam question paper. Channels with names like 'Paper Leaked NEET,' 'Re-NEET 2026,' and 'Private Mafia' were soliciting payments ranging from thousands to lakhs of rupees. The agency reassured that the exam question paper is entirely secure and will not be accessible to anyone prior to the examination.
**Temporary Telegram Ban Until June 22**
The NTA highlighted that the message-editing feature on Telegram was being misused in various cases. After the exam, actual question papers would be inserted into previous messages to create a false narrative of a leak. To combat the dissemination of such misleading 'paper leak' information, the temporary ban on Telegram will remain effective until June 22.
**Significant Government Action Before June 21 Exam**
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with state police forces and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has taken steps to eliminate numerous fraudulent Telegram channels and bots.
The NTA acknowledged that millions utilize Telegram for educational, employment, and personal purposes, and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused. However, this temporary measure is essential to ensure the secure administration of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21.
Avoid Rumors – NTA Advises
The agency has urged students and parents to refrain from believing any rumors or unverified information, advising them to seek exam-related updates exclusively from the official website (neet.nta.nic.in) and NTA's verified social media platforms. It is important to note that the NEET UG exam was previously canceled on May 3, and the re-examination is now scheduled for June 21, with approximately 22 lakh candidates expected to participate.