Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 19: The Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the Central government's decision to temporarily restrict access to messaging platform Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, ruling that the measures were proportionate and necessary to address concerns related to examination malpractice.
Justice Tejas Karia dismissed Telegram's petition challenging the blocking order issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Pronouncing the verdict, the Court observed that the restrictions imposed by the government were limited in scope and designed to achieve a legitimate objective.
"The government's measures are the least restrictive. It cannot be held that the order is disproportionate," the Court said.
The Centre had imposed the temporary curbs citing concerns that Telegram was being used by organised cheating networks allegedly linked to the NEET-UG examination controversy.
The re-examination was ordered after the original NEET-UG test conducted on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities. The case is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Based on recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed the temporary suspension of Telegram services in India until June 22.
The government also instructed the platform to disable its message-editing feature for previously posted messages until June 30, citing concerns that the function could be misused to alter or conceal evidence related to examination malpractice.
Telegram challenged the order before the High Court, arguing that the government had singled out the platform while allowing other social media and messaging services to continue operations without similar restrictions.
The company contended that the action violated Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, and argued that the restrictions failed the test of proportionality.
However, the High Court rejected those arguments and held that the government's decision was justified in view of the specific concerns raised regarding the misuse of the platform in connection with the examination controversy.
The ruling provides legal backing to the Centre's temporary measures as authorities continue efforts to ensure the integrity of the NEET-UG re-examination process.