Telegram removed from Google Play Store in India amid NEET re-exam restrictions

New Delhi, June 2026 : Messaging platform Telegram has been removed from the Google Play Store in India following the Centre’s decision to temporarily restrict access to the app ahead of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination.

As a result of the move, new users are currently unable to download Telegram through Google’s official Android marketplace in the country. However, the application remains available on Apple’s App Store as of now.

The development comes in the wake of government measures aimed at curbing alleged examination-related fraud, misinformation campaigns and cheating networks that authorities claim have been operating through the platform.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), acting on recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA), imposed temporary restrictions on Telegram until June 22. The curbs coincide with the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21.

According to the NTA, the restrictions were introduced under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and cover both the examination day and its immediate aftermath.

The agency stated that several Telegram channels and groups had allegedly been used to circulate misleading claims about question paper leaks and to attract students with fraudulent promises of providing access to examination papers.

The government has maintained that the temporary restrictions are necessary to preserve the integrity of the examination process and protect candidates from scams and misinformation.

In addition to restricting access to the platform, authorities directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30. Officials argued that the feature had been misused in the past to fabricate evidence of paper leaks by allowing users to edit old messages and replace attached files while retaining original timestamps.

According to the NTA, such manipulation could create the false impression that examination papers had been shared before the test, thereby fuelling rumours and panic among students.

The agency has repeatedly stressed that no NEET examination paper had been leaked, despite widespread claims circulating on social media and messaging platforms.

Officials said the temporary restrictions were imposed only after targeted actions—such as the removal of specific Telegram channels, groups and automated bots—proved insufficient to address the scale of the problem.

The NTA also credited the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, state police forces and other central agencies for identifying and acting against Telegram-based fraud networks.

Law enforcement agencies across multiple states have launched investigations into examination-related scams allegedly being conducted through social media and messaging applications.

The government has advised students and parents to rely solely on official channels for examination-related updates and to report suspicious activities to cybercrime authorities.

Team Maverick.