Messaging platform Telegram was restored on the Google Play Store on Tuesday after a week-long suspension imposed by the Centre as a precautionary measure ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.
The government had ordered the temporary blocking of Telegram across India from June 16 to June 22 following a request from the National Testing Agency (NTA). The agency had raised concerns that organised cheating networks were allegedly using the platform to mislead and exploit candidates appearing for the NEET-UG re-examination conducted on June 21.
While Telegram has resumed availability on the Google Play Store, the Centre’s restriction on the platform’s message-editing feature will continue until June 30. The application, however, remained unavailable on Apple’s App Store.
According to the NTA, both measures were introduced in the interest of public order and to prevent misuse of the platform by organised groups involved in examination-related malpractice.
The NEET-UG re-examination was conducted on June 21 without any reported paper leaks or major instances of fraud, officials said.
Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court upheld the Centre’s decision to temporarily suspend Telegram’s services and disable its message-editing feature. Rejecting a petition filed by Telegram FZ LLC, the court observed that the government had followed the procedure laid down under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act while exercising its emergency blocking powers.
The court further held that the restrictions met the test of proportionality and that the reasons provided by the government were adequate given the urgency of the situation.
The temporary restrictions were imposed based on recommendations from the National Testing Agency and the Ministry of Home Affairs.