New Delhi, June 19 : The Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the Centre’s decision to temporarily restrict access to the messaging platform Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21, observing that the measure was “not disproportionate” and falls within the government’s statutory powers.
A vacation bench led by Justice Tejas Karia noted that the restriction qualifies as the “least restrictive” step available under the circumstances, reinforcing the Centre’s authority to issue blocking directions in matters involving national examination security and integrity. The court’s detailed order is yet to be released.
The ruling came after Telegram challenged the legality of the government’s directive, arguing that the blocking order adversely impacted more than 150 million users across India. The platform’s legal counsel questioned whether such sweeping restrictions were justified and proportionate.
Background: NEET-UG Re-Exam Triggered Security Crackdown
The development is linked to the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination cycle. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), conducted on May 3, was cancelled on May 12 by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following allegations of paper leaks and irregularities.
The cancellation led to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged malpractice, prompting authorities to tighten digital surveillance and communication controls ahead of the rescheduled examination.
The NEET-UG re-test is now set to be conducted on June 21 under strict monitoring arrangements.
Government Action Under IT Act Section 69A
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), acting on recommendations from the NTA, issued a directive on June 16 under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The order temporarily restricted access to Telegram in India until June 22, covering the examination date and the immediate post exam period.
Authorities stated that the measure was intended to prevent the circulation of misleading or manipulated content linked to alleged question paper leaks during a highly sensitive national examination.
Additional Restrictions on Platform Features
Alongside the temporary blocking order, the government also directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature for already-posted content within India until June 30, 2026.
Officials believe this functionality had been misused in certain cases to alter messages after publication, potentially creating fabricated evidence of “paper leaks” in competitive examinations. The restriction aims to curb misinformation and ensure authenticity in digital communication during the examination period.
Court’s Observation on Proportionality
During the hearing, the High Court emphasized that safeguarding the integrity of a national-level entrance examination justifies calibrated regulatory intervention. The bench held that the Centre’s decision aligns with legal provisions empowering it to act in the interest of public order and examination security.
While the detailed reasoning is awaited, the ruling indicates judicial backing for preventive digital measures in exceptional circumstances where examination fairness may be at risk.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The CBI continues to investigate the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case, which triggered widespread concern among students and parents across the country. Authorities are working to ensure that the upcoming re-exam proceeds without disruption or security breaches.
With the re-test approaching, education regulators have intensified coordination with law enforcement agencies and examination bodies to maintain strict compliance protocols at examination centres.
The case highlights the growing intersection between digital platforms and examination governance, raising broader questions about platform accountability and the balance between user access and regulatory intervention in sensitive national processes.