Telegram has returned to the Google Play Store in India after the government lifted a temporary restriction that had blocked access to the messaging platform during the NEET UG 2026 re-examination period.
The app was restricted from June 16 to June 22 following a request from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which claimed that organized cheating groups were using Telegram to mislead and exploit candidates appearing for the medical entrance test re-exam held on June 21.
While Telegram is once again available for Android users through Google Play, it remains unavailable on Apple’s App Store. The government has also decided to keep Telegram’s message-editing feature disabled until June 30 as part of its ongoing efforts to prevent misuse of the platform.
According to the NTA, both the temporary platform block and the suspension of the editing feature were introduced to protect public order and curb the activities of cheating networks targeting NEET aspirants. Authorities said the measures were precautionary and aimed at ensuring the integrity of the examination process.
The NEET UG 2026 re-examination was conducted successfully on June 21, and no reports of paper leaks or major fraudulent incidents have emerged so far.
Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court upheld the Centre’s decision to temporarily suspend Telegram’s services and disable message editing. Rejecting a petition filed by Telegram FZ LLC, the court ruled that the government had followed the procedures outlined under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act and that the restrictions were proportionate to the situation.
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The court observed that the emergency nature of the order justified the reasons provided by the government and noted that all procedural requirements under Section 69A had been properly followed. The restrictions were imposed based on recommendations from the NTA and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
