Users across India trying to download Telegram on Android are now seeing a “not available” message and it’s not a technical issue. The messaging platform has been temporarily removed from the Google Play Store following a government directive linked to the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination. Apple is also expected to comply with a similar order soon.

The action has sparked confusion among users and raised questions about whether this is a temporary crackdown or a sign of broader digital restrictions during high-stakes national exams.

Why the government ordered the removal

The restriction comes ahead of the NEET-UG re-test scheduled for June 21, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), after the previous exam was cancelled due to alleged paper leak concerns.

According to government sources, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) invoked Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 to temporarily restrict Telegram’s availability on app stores in India until June 22, covering the exam day and immediate aftermath.

Officials say the decision is aimed at preventing the circulation of fake or leaked question papers and controlling the spread of misinformation during the examination cycle.

How Telegram was allegedly being misused

Authorities claim that Telegram channels, groups, and bots were being used to circulate misleading “paper leak” claims and fraudulent exam-related content.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been coordinating with state police units in Bihar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan to identify and remove such networks.

Officials also pointed to Telegram’s open group discovery and messaging tools, saying they were being misused to:

  • Spread fake exam leak claims
  • Share manipulated screenshots of old messages
  • Create after-the-fact “evidence” of leaks

In addition to the delisting, the government has reportedly directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30, a move aimed at preventing alteration of previously posted content.

Temporary restriction, not a permanent ban

Officials have clarified that the action is limited in duration. The app store removal is expected to remain in effect only until June 22, 2026, after which normal availability may resume depending on compliance and review.

The separate order requiring Telegram to disable message editing applies until June 30, 2026.

The measures are part of a wider effort to ensure that the NEET-UG re-exam is conducted without disruption following last cycle’s cancellation over alleged malpractice.

NEET-UG under tight scrutiny after paper leak allegations

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), one of India’s largest medical entrance examinations, has been under heightened scrutiny after allegations of question paper leaks during the previous exam cycle held on May 3.

The cancellation of that exam triggered widespread concern among students and parents, pushing authorities to adopt stricter monitoring and digital surveillance measures for the re-exam.

Officials from the NTA have said that all possible steps are being taken to ensure transparency and prevent any malpractice during the upcoming test.

Backlash over platform-wide restriction

The decision has drawn criticism from digital rights and policy experts, who argue that restricting an entire platform may be disproportionate to the problem being addressed.

Digital advocacy groups, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, have described the move as a “band-aid solution”, warning that it could impact millions of legitimate users who rely on Telegram for education, business, journalism, and community communication.

Policy experts also point out that misinformation about exam leaks is not limited to a single platform and can spread across multiple apps and private networks.

At the same time, some analysts acknowledge that the government has a strong interest in preventing fraud in one of the country’s most competitive examinations, even if the approach raises concerns about broader digital access.

What this means for users now

For existing users who already have Telegram installed, the app may continue to function, although some features could be restricted depending on enforcement and updates.

However, new users in India will not be able to download Telegram from official app stores until the restriction is lifted.

With PTI inputs