India has temporarily blocked access to the Telegram messaging app until June 22, citing its alleged use in facilitating fraud against candidates sitting for a national medical entrance examination, the Ministry of Education said on Tuesday.
The government said the restriction was imposed under provisions of Indiaâs information technology law, which allows blocking of online platforms in the interest of national sovereignty and integrity.
Officials said the decision was taken after the platform was reportedly used by cheating networks to target candidates preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) re-examination.
The NEET exam was earlier cancelled after authorities discovered that question papers had been leaked, triggering widespread protests by students across parts of the country.
The Ministry of Educationâs National Testing Agency said the latest measure against Telegram was a âlast resortâ aimed at preventing further malpractice ahead of the June 21 re-test.
It added that earlier attempts to remove such content from the platform had not produced sufficient results.
The government acknowledged that the restriction would affect hundreds of thousands of users but said it was necessary and time-limited.
Telegram, which has grown rapidly in India and is one of the most widely used messaging apps in the country, had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Erizia Rubyjeana
