Messaging platform Telegram moved the Delhi High Court on Wednesday against the Central government's decision to temporarily ban the app ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) re-exam scheduled for June 21, 2026. The ban was imposed to prevent leaks of the exam paper, following recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, according to livemint.com.
The case was mentioned before Justice Tajas Karia, who agreed to hear the matter on the same day. Telegram's legal team challenged the ban, arguing against the Central government's decision to block the app during the critical exam period. The government had taken this step as a preventive measure after concerns about potential paper leaks surfaced, as reported by economictimes.indiatimes.com.
This legal challenge highlights the tension between government efforts to secure examination integrity and the rights of digital platforms. The ban on Telegram is part of broader measures to curb information leaks ahead of high-stakes exams in India. Similar actions have been taken in the past to prevent cheating and maintain fairness in national-level tests, underscoring the government's strict approach to exam security.
The Delhi High Court scheduled the hearing for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, to consider Telegram's plea. The court's decision will determine whether the temporary ban on Telegram remains in effect during the NEET-UG re-exam, impacting millions of students preparing for the test.