The ban, ordered under emergency powers by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, restricts access to Telegram in India until June 22. Officials say the decision was driven by concerns that the platform was being used to defraud candidates preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), one of the country’s most competitive medical entrance examinations.
The dispute has now reached the Delhi High Court, where Telegram is challenging the restriction, arguing that it violates constitutional protections and free speech rights. India’s government, meanwhile, has defended its actions as necessary to prevent fraud and protect the integrity of the exam system.
Allegations of inaction and leaked paper channels
According to documents seen in the case, the ban followed nearly two weeks of exchanges between India’s IT ministry and Telegram representatives. Authorities accused the platform of failing to act against channels such as “NEET PAPER LEAKED” and “Paper Leaked NEET,” which were allegedly advertising access to exam materials and, in some cases, demanding payment.
Government officials described Telegram’s response as insufficient, arguing that the company showed “inaction” despite what they viewed as clearly suspicious activity.
The NEET controversy has already triggered significant fallout in India, including the cancellation of results in May after suspicions of a leak. The exam was later rescheduled for June 21, intensifying public scrutiny of how such information allegedly circulated online.
Telegram pushes back, disputes government records
Telegram, which has roughly 150 million users in India—its largest market—has rejected the allegations. In court filings and correspondence, the company said it was “surprised at the suggestion that it has been inactive in addressing unlawful content,” insisting it does not permit the use of its platform for fraud or illegal activity.
The company has also accused officials of misrepresenting its position during a June 3 meeting, arguing that government minutes provided a “one-sided and inaccurate account of the discussions” and omitted details of its moderation efforts.
In its own communications, Telegram clarified that while certain types of content are harder to detect proactively, it does maintain systems to address harmful material. The company disputed the government’s interpretation that it lacked tools to act on such cases.
Free speech argument and broader tech tensions
In its legal challenge, Telegram argues that the ban undermines free expression and unfairly penalizes users who were not involved in any wrongdoing. The company’s founder, Pavel Durov, has publicly criticized the move, calling it a mistake and suggesting that harmful content would simply migrate to other platforms.
India’s messaging landscape is dominated by WhatsApp, which has over 500 million users in the country. However, Telegram has carved out a distinct niche due to its large group capacity—up to 200,000 members—and its ability to allow interaction without revealing phone numbers, features that have also made it attractive for illicit activity, according to critics.
The current dispute adds to a growing pattern of friction between global tech platforms and the Modi government over content regulation. It follows earlier legal tensions involving other major social media companies, reflecting India’s increasingly assertive stance on digital oversight.
Political fallout from exam controversy
The NEET scandal itself has already sparked widespread political debate in India. With more than two million students taking the exam annually, allegations of leaks have fueled public anger and calls for accountability, including pressure on the education ministry after the cancellation of results.
For now, the court will determine whether the government’s emergency action stands or is overturned—but the case has already highlighted the growing tension between digital platforms, regulatory authority, and public trust in high-stakes national exams.