Paper leak scandal deepens as India blocks telegram nationwide
New Delhi : The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test paper leak scandal has escalated into a major crisis, forcing Indian authorities to temporarily block the messaging platform Telegram across the country ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.
According to Kashmir Media Service, India’s National Testing Agency (NTA) recommended the nationwide restriction after alleging that several Telegram channels were being used to circulate claims of leaked question papers and confidential examination material related to the June 21 re-examination.
The Indian government not only suspended access to Telegram until June 22 but also directed the platform to disable its message-editing feature until June 30, claiming that the feature had been misused to fabricate evidence of paper leaks.
The move follows the cancellation of the earlier NEET examination amid allegations of question paper leaks, exposing serious flaws in the country’s examination system and raising concerns among millions of students and parents.
Indian authorities said several channels and groups offering purported access to examination papers in exchange for large sums of money had been identified and acted against. However, officials admitted that stronger measures were required to contain the growing controversy.
Political observers said the unprecedented blocking of a major communication platform highlights the scale of the examination scandal and reflects the deepening crisis surrounding the credibility and transparency of India’s competitive testing system.
