India temporarily bans Telegram over exam paper leak concerns
India has temporarily blocked the Telegram app amid concerns it could be exploited for cheating in the upcoming National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET-UG), scheduled for June 21.
This decision follows a prior cancellation of the exam held in May due to allegations of a paper leak.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) supports the ban, linking it to organized cheating networks utilizing the platform.
Critics, including internet users and rights activists, label the ban a “band-aid solution” to a broader issue of exam fraud, arguing that it negatively impacts legitimate users of the app.
As of the government’s announcement, Telegram remained accessible, leaving the enforcement of the ban uncertain.
The NEET-UG serves as a crucial gateway for medical school admissions in India.
Previous controversies involved over 2.28 million candidates, a subsequent exam cancellation, and a federal investigation leading to multiple arrests.
Allegations of fraud have plagued the NEET tests over recent years, highlighting systemic issues in exam integrity.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology directed Telegram to restrict access until June 22 and disabled its message-editing feature until June 30, citing misuse for fabricating evidence.
The NTA reported that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre had already removed numerous Telegram channels promoting dishonest activities.
While the NTA expressed regret over inconveniences caused by the ban for genuine users, the Internet Freedom Foundation criticized the lack of transparency in the measure, asserting it is ineffective and merely penalizes students rather than tackling the root causes of exam cheating.
