India has temporarily restricted access to messaging platform Telegram until June 22, coinciding with the NEET re-examination scheduled for June 21. The
step has been taken as authorities move to curb the spread of misinformation and prevent potential exam-related malpractice. In addition, Telegram’s message-editing feature has been disabled in the country until June 30, in a bid to limit the circulation and alteration of misleading content during and after the examination period. The move comes after several Telegram channels openly claimed to offer access to leaked NEET question papers, demanding payments ranging from a few thousand rupees to several lakhs from students and their families. Many of these channels operated under names explicitly suggesting illegal activity, including variations of “NEET paper leaked” and “Re-NEET 2026”. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has categorically denied the existence of any leaked papers, stating that the examination material remains secure within the official chain. It warned that any claims of access to such papers are fraudulent and urged candidates not to fall prey to scams. Authorities say the temporary curbs are aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the examination process and protecting students from exploitation during a sensitive period. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Monday reviewed the preparedness of the states for the NEET (UG) re-examination. The medical-entrance examination held on May 3 was cancelled amidst allegations of irregularities, leaving lakhs of aspirants in despair. Chairing a meeting that was also attended by top officials of various government departments, Mohan reviewed the preparations, with a special focus on "student convenience, security arrangements and the integrity of the examination process", according to an official statement. The re-test is scheduled to be held on June 21. The home secretary directed that security protocols should strictly be adhered to and that the exam should be conducted in a flawless manner.
