Telegram has moved the Delhi High Court against the Centre's decision to temporarily restrict access to its messaging platform ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re examination. The legal challenge has brought attention to the balance between examination security measures and access to digital communication services.
According to reports, Telegram mentioned the matter before the Delhi High Court and sought urgent consideration of its plea. The matter was presented before a bench led by Justice Tejas Karia, which agreed to hear the case.
The temporary restriction was reportedly imposed by the Central Government under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The decision followed recommendations made by the National Testing Agency, the body responsible for conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduate medical admissions.
Officials are understood to have recommended the measure as part of efforts to maintain the integrity of the NEET UG 2026 re examination. Authorities have expressed concerns in recent years regarding the misuse of online platforms for the circulation of unauthorised examination material, misinformation and other activities that could potentially affect the fairness of competitive examinations.
The temporary restriction is reported to remain in force until June 22, covering the period surrounding the scheduled NEET UG re examination on June 21. The objective, according to reports, is to prevent any possible misuse of communication channels during the examination process.
Telegram, however, has challenged the decision, arguing that the restriction affects access to a widely used communication platform. The company has sought judicial review of the government's order and requested relief from the court. Details of the specific legal arguments are expected to emerge during court proceedings.
The case has attracted significant public attention because NEET UG is one of India's largest and most competitive entrance examinations. Every year, millions of students appear for the examination seeking admission to undergraduate medical and related courses across the country.
Issues related to examination security have remained a major topic of discussion following concerns raised over examination irregularities in recent years. Government agencies and examination authorities have introduced several measures aimed at ensuring transparency, fairness and security during the conduct of national level tests.
Legal experts note that the case may raise important questions regarding the scope of government powers under the Information Technology Act, particularly when restrictions are imposed on digital platforms for public interest reasons. The proceedings may also examine whether the temporary restriction is proportionate to the objective it seeks to achieve.
At the same time, authorities are expected to argue that protecting the integrity of a national examination is a matter of public importance and requires preventive measures when security concerns arise.
The Delhi High Court's consideration of the matter is likely to be closely watched by technology companies, legal experts, students and educational institutions. The outcome could have implications for future decisions involving online platforms and examination related security measures.
As of now, the matter remains under judicial consideration, and the court is expected to hear arguments from both Telegram and government representatives before reaching any conclusion.