India blocks Telegram amid investigation into exam paper leak

The Indian government has blocked access to the Telegram messaging platform until June 22 as part of an investigation into the leak of examination materials, according to a statement from the country’s Ministry of Education cited by Reuters.

According to the ministry, the platform was used to distribute and discuss materials related to a nationwide medical college entrance examination, which authorities said was intended to “defraud candidates.”

The restriction has been imposed for a limited period under provisions of India’s Information Technology Act, which allows authorities to block online resources in the interests of sovereignty and public order.

India has previously faced scandals involving leaked examination papers. Last month, authorities annulled the results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) after evidence emerged that exam questions had been leaked before the test began.

A retest has been scheduled for June 21. According to the National Testing Agency, the latest measures involving Telegram are linked to the platform’s alleged use by fraudulent groups to organise schemes related to the examination process.

Telegram had not commented on the situation at the time of publication. Local media reports indicated that the application continued to function in parts of the country during the initial hours after the restrictions were announced.

By Jeyhun Aghazada