The Delhi High Court upheld a temporary government ban on Telegram to prevent the circulation of leaked NEET examination materials [1].

This ruling maintains the restriction on the messaging platform during a critical window for medical school aspirants. The decision ensures that the government's security measures remain in place as the country prepares for a high-stakes national entrance test.

Justice Tejas Karia, presiding over a single-judge bench, rejected the plea to lift the ban [1]. The court focused on the government's argument that Telegram was being used to facilitate fraudulent activities and distribute compromised exam content [2].

Government officials said that multiple complaints linked the platform to the leak of NEET materials [3]. Because of these security concerns, the ban was implemented under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 [4].

The legal battle comes just days before the NEET-UG re-examination, which is scheduled for June 21 [5]. The government maintains that the temporary block is necessary to preserve the integrity of the testing process and prevent further academic fraud.

Outside the courtroom, the issue has sparked political debate. Devender Yadav, a leader with the Congress party, said the unrest and the exam row are connected to broader systemic issues, specifically youth unemployment and inflation [6].

“The court upheld the government’s temporary ban on Telegram, citing its alleged role in circulating leaked NEET examination material.”

This ruling underscores the Indian government's willingness to utilize broad powers under the IT Act to secure national examinations. By upholding the ban, the court prioritizes the immediate integrity of the NEET-UG process over the general accessibility of a third-party communication platform, signaling a low threshold for temporary restrictions when academic fraud is suspected.