EducationExam – Kejriwal Questions Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET-UG Retest

EducationExam – A fresh political debate has emerged over the Centre’s decision to temporarily restrict access to the Telegram messaging platform ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday criticised the move, arguing that such measures would not effectively address the recurring issue of examination paper leaks.

Government Introduces Temporary Restrictions

The Centre imposed a temporary restriction on Telegram until June 22, just days before the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21. Authorities said the decision was taken to curb the activities of cheating syndicates and prevent the circulation of misleading information related to the examination process.

As part of the same action, the government also instructed Google and Apple to temporarily remove the Telegram application from their respective app stores. Officials maintain that the restrictions are intended to safeguard the integrity of the national-level medical entrance examination.

NTA Cites Fair Examination Process

According to National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Abhishek Singh, the temporary measures form part of a broader strategy designed to ensure that the re-examination is conducted in a transparent and fair manner. The agency has stated that preventing malpractice and maintaining confidence in the examination system remain key priorities.

The NTA has been under significant scrutiny following allegations of irregularities in the original NEET-UG examination. Authorities have introduced multiple safeguards in an effort to strengthen security and restore trust among students and parents.

Kejriwal Calls Measures Symbolic

Reacting to the government’s decision, Kejriwal alleged that the administration was not genuinely committed to eliminating paper leaks. In a post shared on social media platform X, he described the restrictions as ineffective and questioned whether such actions could prevent organised examination fraud.

The former Delhi Chief Minister argued that measures such as restricting Telegram access or transporting examination papers using military aircraft were largely symbolic. He maintained that these steps would not address the root causes behind examination security breaches.

Allegations of Larger Examination Leak Network

Kejriwal further claimed that paper leak incidents are linked to a large-scale illegal network operating across the country. He alleged that substantial amounts of money are involved in such activities and suggested that stronger action is needed to dismantle the ecosystem responsible for examination-related misconduct.

His remarks have added a political dimension to an issue that has already generated widespread concern among students, educators and policymakers.

Background of the NEET-UG Controversy

NEET-UG 2026 was initially conducted on May 3. However, following allegations of irregularities and concerns raised over the examination process, the NTA cancelled the test on May 12. The decision affected lakhs of aspiring medical students who had appeared for the examination and were awaiting results.

The upcoming re-examination on June 21 is expected to be closely monitored, with authorities implementing additional safeguards to ensure a smooth and credible process. The outcome of these measures will likely play an important role in restoring public confidence in one of India’s most significant entrance examinations.