New Delhi: A Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the Indian government's decision to temporarily block the messaging platform Telegram, dealing a setback to the company as authorities continue efforts to prevent further leaks linked to the country's biggest medical entrance examination.
The court rejected Telegram's appeal against the suspension, allowing the temporary ban to remain in place until June 22. The decision comes just days before the rescheduled National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which is being conducted again after allegations of widespread cheating and question paper leaks shook the education system.
The Indian government had ordered internet service providers and major technology companies to block access to Telegram earlier this week. Officials argued that the platform had been used by organized groups to distribute leaked examination papers and to facilitate fraudulent activities connected to the NEET examination.
The NEET examination is one of the most important academic tests in India and serves as the gateway for admission to medical colleges across the country. More than two million students appear for the examination every year, making it one of the largest entrance tests in the world.
The controversy began after authorities uncovered evidence suggesting that portions of the original NEET 2026 question paper had been circulated before the examination. Following investigations and growing public pressure, officials decided to cancel the original results and conduct a fresh examination for affected candidates.
During court proceedings, government lawyers defended the temporary suspension, arguing that extraordinary measures were necessary to protect the integrity of the re examination. They told the court that Telegram had become a major channel for the spread of leaked content and exam related scams.
The court agreed with the government's position, stating that the temporary restriction was a proportionate response to an urgent situation. Judges noted that ensuring a fair examination process for millions of students was a matter of public interest and justified short term action.
Telegram, however, strongly opposed the decision. The company argued that the suspension unfairly punished more than 150 million users in India for the actions of a small number of offenders. Telegram said it had already removed hundreds of channels and groups linked to exam fraud and had cooperated with authorities wherever possible.
The company also maintained that a nationwide block was an excessive measure and that targeted action against specific channels would have been more appropriate. Telegram's legal team argued that the ban disrupted communication for students, businesses, educators and families who rely on the platform for legitimate purposes.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov also criticized the suspension, saying that blocking an entire platform would not eliminate exam leaks because those involved could simply move to other messaging services or online platforms. He warned that broad restrictions on communication tools could have unintended consequences for ordinary users.
The case has triggered a wider debate in India over the balance between public interest and digital freedoms. Supporters of the government's decision argue that strong action is needed to combat increasingly sophisticated examination fraud networks. They say the credibility of competitive examinations must be protected at all costs.
On the other hand, digital rights advocates have expressed concern about the growing use of platform wide bans. Several groups have argued that blocking an entire service because of misuse by some users could set a significant precedent for future government actions involving social media and encrypted messaging platforms.
The Telegram dispute is also the latest chapter in India's increasingly complex relationship with global technology companies. In recent years, authorities have sought greater compliance from digital platforms on issues ranging from content moderation to data access and public safety.
For now, Telegram will remain inaccessible across India until at least June 22, while authorities focus on conducting the NEET re examination without further controversy. The outcome of the case is being closely watched by technology firms, legal experts, students and parents, as it could shape future policies governing digital platforms in one of the world's largest internet markets.