Telegram has taken the Indian government to court over its decision to temporarily block the messaging platform, just days before millions of students were slated to retake the high‑stakes National Eligibility‑cum‑Entrance Test (NEET).
The company challenged the ban on Wednesday, a day after authorities disabled access to the app over fears it was used to distribute leaked exam papers.
The government says the measure will protect the exam’s integrity, which was cancelled last month after allegations of a paper leak. A retest is now scheduled for Sunday, with Indian Air Force aircraft to transport new question sets.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has called the ban a “mistake,” arguing it would punish millions of users while doing little to stop those responsible for the leaks. He noted that the platform has removed hundreds of channels sharing leaked materials and has made its “edited” label more prominent to prevent scams.
The company’s lawyers filed the challenge before the Delhi High Court, which agreed to hear the case later that day.
Durov also posted on X, criticizing the ban and stating it would not halt the leakage because those responsible would likely move to other apps.
The controversy stems from reports that NEET exam papers were leaked before the test was held last month. The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating, with more than a dozen people already arrested.
The cancellation and subsequent protest sparked nationwide demonstrations, with students, activists and opposition leaders highlighting deep‑rooted problems in India’s examination system.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) defended the ban, saying it was imposed in response to organized cheating rackets on the platform, though it acknowledged the inconvenience to legitimate users.
Telegram claims to have over 150 million active users in India, many relying on the app for messaging as well as educational content through large public groups and channels.
The restriction was issued under India’s IT law, which allows the government to block online platforms in the interests of the nation’s sovereignty and integrity. This is the first such ban in India, sparking debate over whether blocking a widely used platform is an effective anti‑cheating measure.
Tech analyst Nikhil Pahwa warned that blocking Telegram could push similar activity to other platforms like WhatsApp or Discord, suggesting the government consider broader restrictions.
Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who blocked the exam’s future for millions of students.
Many students rely on Telegram for free study material and cannot afford more expensive alternatives. Some support the ban but emphasise that authorities should focus on identifying the leak‑makers rather than penalising the platform.
