Why is the Centre Restricting Telegram Access Before NEET-UG Retest? Here's What You Need to Know!

Centre Defends Telegram Restrictions in Court

New Delhi: On Thursday, the Indian government defended its decision to temporarily limit access to the Telegram application in the Delhi High Court, citing concerns that the app's bot capabilities could facilitate mass information distribution ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) had previously annulled the NEET-UG exam conducted on May 3 due to allegations of a paper leak, which is currently under investigation by the CBI.

Justice Tejas Karia is presiding over the case concerning Telegram's appeal against the access restrictions imposed before the retest.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, highlighted that a single Telegram account can generate as many as 40 bots.

"Bots are automated systems that can replicate themselves. According to reports, Telegram's infrastructure allows for bulk information dissemination, a feature that enables the formation of complex networks with minimal human intervention," the Solicitor General explained.

He further clarified that the government does not encounter similar issues with other platforms.

"This service operates on a cloud basis. Even if access is blocked, if someone engages in wrongdoing, law enforcement cannot trace the actual user," he added.

Additionally, he pointed out that reports suggest Telegram is often utilized for terrorist activities, complicating law enforcement efforts due to its structural design across different jurisdictions.

The hearing is still in progress.

On Wednesday, the high court instructed the government to submit its response to Telegram's petition regarding the temporary access restrictions ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.