Backing the government’s efforts to protect the integrity of the NEET-UG re-exam, the Delhi High Court dismissed Telegram’s challenge to a temporary blocking order, saying the restrictions were narrowly tailored and represented the least restrictive option available.
BY PC Bureau
June 19, 2026: The Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the Centre’s temporary restrictions on Telegram, endorsing the government’s efforts to prevent the misuse of online platforms in the wake of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.
Justice Tejas Karia dismissed Telegram’s petition challenging the blocking order issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, holding that the government’s actions were proportionate and narrowly tailored to address concerns surrounding examination malpractice.
“The government’s measures are the least restrictive. It cannot be held that the order is disproportionate,” the court observed while pronouncing its verdict.
The temporary curbs were imposed after authorities raised concerns that organised cheating networks linked to the NEET-UG paper leak case were using Telegram to circulate sensitive exam-related material.
The NEET-UG re-examination was ordered after the original test conducted on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities. The matter remains under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
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Based on recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed a 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 content until June 30.
Challenging the decision, Telegram argued that it had been unfairly targeted while other social media platforms continued operating without similar restrictions. The company claimed the order violated Article 14 of the Constitution and failed to meet the standard of proportionality.
During the proceedings, Telegram said it had been cooperating with authorities since May and had acted swiftly on government requests. According to the company, content linked to URLs flagged by authorities on June 9 was removed within an hour.
The platform further informed the court that it had taken down more than 900 links containing unlawful NEET-related content and deployed artificial intelligence tools, machine learning systems and human moderators to monitor and remove violations.
Senior Advocate Dhruv Mehta, representing Telegram, questioned the government’s use of Section 69A and argued that there was insufficient justification for invoking provisions typically associated with national security concerns.
He contended that the government’s reference to protecting the “sovereignty and integrity of India” appeared excessive in the context of an examination-related issue.
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the order, arguing that the government had adopted the least restrictive option available to safeguard the integrity of the examination process and prevent further leaks.
He also pointed to Telegram’s platform architecture and privacy framework, arguing that they limited authorities’ ability to intervene effectively during emergencies involving the rapid dissemination of sensitive content.
Attorney General R Venkataramani supported the government’s stand, maintaining that the order was legally justified and necessary to prevent misuse of the platform.
After hearing detailed arguments from both sides, the High Court reserved its judgment on June 18 and delivered its verdict on Friday, affirming the Centre’s temporary restrictions as a valid preventive measure aimed at protecting the fairness of one of India’s most important entrance examinations.
