Centre Defends Telegram Ban Over Security Concerns in NEET Leak Case

The Union government has informed the High Court that Telegram has become one of the easiest platforms for terrorist and anti national activities, defending its temporary ban on the messaging app. The submission was made during the hearing on Telegram’s challenge against a one-week suspension imposed in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

The Centre stated that encrypted communication and large group channels on Telegram were misused for circulating leaked exam materials, which impacted lakhs of candidates and led to the cancellation of the examination. It further argued that the temporary restriction was necessary to curb the spread of leaked content and dismantle organized networks allegedly operating through the platform.