The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to stay the government's six-day block on Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG re-test, with Justice Tejas Karia dismissing the messaging app's challenge to a June 16 order that temporarily restricted its access across India.
The ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) issued the order on blocking Telegram under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. (Reuters/Representative)
The single-judge bench held that the block satisfied the constitutional test of proportionality and that the government had followed due procedure under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.
The ruling clears the way for the Telegram block to stay in force through Sunday's NEET-UG re-test. The government had restricted access to Telegram till June 22 — a day after the re-test — and separately required the app to disable, till June 30, its message-editing feature on posts already published.
NEET-UG 2026, the medical entrance exam originally held on May 3, was cancelled the following week after the National Testing Agency (NTA) confirmed with enforcement agencies that the question paper had been compromised. About 2.27 million students had appeared for it across 551 cities before the cancellation. A re-test was subsequently scheduled for June 21.
Earlier this week, the government invoked Section 69A to order the nationwide block of Telegram, citing the need to prevent further leaks and protect the integrity of the re-test. Telegram challenged the order in the Delhi High Court, calling it "unconstitutional, arbitrary, and unlawful", and sought that either the temporary block be quashed or the order be stayed till the case was being heard.
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The court's refusal to grant that stay rested on three key findings:
Did the block pass the test of proportionality?
Under Indian constitutional law, any government action that restricts a fundamental right — here, access to a communication platform — must clear what is called the proportionality test. Under it, the action must serve a legitimate aim, be a suitable way of achieving it, represent the least restrictive option available, and not last longer than necessary.
The Delhi high court held that the block cleared this bar on every count: "Test of proportionality is satisfied ... The government's measures are least restrictive. It cannot be held that the order is disproportionate."
In its affidavit submitted to the court before Friday's ruling, the government had said Telegram's features created a “unique ecosystem” that can be exploited for “exam leaks, cyber-enabled frauds, terrorist propaganda and other unlawful activities”.
On legitimacy, the court accepted that protecting 2.2 million candidates due to appear for the NEET re-test, and averting disruption to public order, was a valid aim.
On suitability, the court agreed with the government that Telegram's "platform architecture" was "conducive to amplification and mass dissemination of content", capable of helping unlawful material "reach a substantial number of users within a short span of time".
The high court extended this reasoning to the parallel government action, which had disabled Telegram's message-editing feature. The court said the feature could otherwise be misused to falsely claim that question papers had leaked before the exam.
On whether a less restrictive option existed, the government had argued before the court that it had already tried targeted takedowns, but failed.
Channels such as 'Private Mafia', with thousands of followers, had kept operating despite being flagged, and Telegram's bot infrastructure let automated accounts run "without continuous human intervention", the government had said in its affidavit opposing Telegram’s challenge. More than 150 NEET-linked bots had been disabled but the underlying ecosystem persisted, it had said.
The court appeared to largely accept this argument on Friday, observing that such entry-level interventions "were repeatedly found to be ineffective and inadequate".
Telegram had disputed this point before the court. It said that the app's representatives had held compliance meetings with government agencies since May, taken down more than 900 unlawful NEET-related links using AI, machine-learning tools and manual moderation, and removed flagged content within an hour of receiving specific URLs on June 9. These measures, it argued, was evidence that narrower enforcement was working.
Senior advocate Dhruv Mehta, representing Telegram, also argued that singling out the app while other intermediaries operated freely was itself disproportionate and against Article 14 (equality before the law) of the Constitution. The government's action, it said, affected over 150 million users and businesses for the conduct of a small number of bad actors.
The judge weighed this question while hearing the matter on Thursday.
Justice Tejas Karia h…
Read the full article at Hindustan Times →📄Source document: National Testing Agency (NTA)→26 reports
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter2 days agoThe Delhi High Court denied a request by Telegram to block the government's temporary restriction on the messaging app ahead of the NEET-UG re-test. The court ruled that the block met constitutional standards of proportionality and that the government followed proper procedures under Section 69A of the IT Act. The block remains in effect until June 22, a day after the re-test, and Telegram must also disable its message-editing feature until June 30. The original NEET-UG exam was canceled after concerns over the security of the question paper.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the court's decision without overtly favoring either side. It includes details about the legal reasoning provided by the court and mentions the government's actions without editorializing or using biased language. The framing appears balanced, focusing on a
Official sources cited
- court Delhi High Court ruling on Telegram block
- government Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
The HinduIndependentCenter2 days agoThe Delhi High Court has upheld the Indian government's decision to temporarily ban Telegram until June 22, citing concerns over the platform being used by organized cheating networks to leak and circulate materials related to the NEET examination. The Centre argued that Telegram did not adequately monitor or address illegal activities on its platform. Telegram's legal representative challenged the government's use of emergency powers but was unsuccessful.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the government's justification for the ban and Telegram's counterarguments without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes from both parties and does not employ biased language or selective sourcing.
Official sources cited
- court Delhi High Court ruling on Telegram ban
- government Centre's statement on Telegram suspension
FirstpostParty-alignedCenter2 days agoThe Delhi High Court has rejected Telegram's plea to unblock the messaging app in India, citing concerns over misuse of the platform for spreading misinformation and illegal content. The decision comes ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Neet) re-test, raising concerns about the impact on students relying on Telegram for study materials and communication.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual summary of the court's decision without overtly favoring either side. It mentions concerns raised by authorities regarding misinformation but does not explicitly endorse or criticize the court's ruling. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the legal process and its
Official sources cited
- court Delhi High Court ruling on Telegram block
India TodayIndependentCenter2 days agoThe Delhi High Court upheld the Indian government's temporary ban on Telegram, stating the measure was proportionate and necessary to prevent examination malpractice ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. The court dismissed Telegram's challenge to the block, which was implemented under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The government cited concerns that Telegram was being used by organized cheating networks linked to the NEET-UG controversy. The original NEET-UG exam was canceled in May due to allegations of paper leaks and irregularities, with the case currently under C
Bias read (Center): The article presents the court's ruling and the government's justification for the ban without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes from the court and references the legal basis for the action, providing balanced context about the situation without apparent ideological framing.
Official sources cited
- court Delhi High Court Verdict
- government Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
Times of IndiaIndependentRight2 days agoThe Delhi High Court is set to deliver its judgment on Telegram's challenge against the Indian government's temporary blocking of the messaging app ahead of the NEET retest. The court questioned whether restricting access for 150 million users was justified due to concerns over potential misuse during the exam. Attorney General R Venkatramani described Telegram's architecture as a 'Frankenstein,' highlighting its potential for abuse through features like multiple bots per account.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the issue with emphasis on security concerns and potential misuse, using strong language like 'Frankenstein' to describe Telegram's architecture. The focus is on restrictions imposed by the government, suggesting approval of the measures taken. The tone leans toward supporting the
Official sources cited
- court Delhi High Court proceedings
- government Attorney General R Venkatramani's statement
Scroll.inIndependentRight3 days agoThe Indian government has described Telegram as the 'new dark web' in an affidavit submitted to the Delhi High Court, arguing that the messaging platform facilitates illegal activities and connects criminals. The government opposes Telegram's petition challenging a block on its services in India, which was imposed until June 22, following the undergraduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) re-examination. The court questioned the extent of illegal activity on Telegram, noting that any digital service could potentially be misused.
Bias read (Right): The article frames Telegram as a hub for criminal activity using strong language such as 'new dark web,' which implies a negative characterization without providing balanced counterpoints or evidence. The government's claims are presented with minimal contextualization or independent verification, t
Official sources cited
- government Union government affidavit
- press release Bar and Bench report
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter3 days ago 'Curtailing rights of 150 million Telegram users as one set taking NEET retest?': Delhi High CourtThe Delhi High Court questioned the government's decision to restrict Telegram access in India ahead of the NEET re-examination, asking how the rights of 150 million users could be curtailed due to one group taking an exam. The court heard arguments from Telegram and the government, with the Solicitor General defending the move by citing concerns over misuse of the platform.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the court's questioning of the government's actions without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes from both the court and the government's legal representative, providing balanced representation of the arguments made during the hearing. There is no evident bias
Official sources cited
- court Delhi High Court
- government National Testing Agency (NTA)
India TodayIndependentRight3 days ago Telegram preferred platform for terrorist acts: Government defends block in courtThe Indian government has submitted an affidavit to the Delhi High Court defending its temporary ban on Telegram, alleging that the messaging platform is widely used for cybercrime, financial fraud, extremist propaganda, and other illegal activities. The government claims Telegram's privacy and anonymity features make it attractive to criminal networks.
Bias read (Right): The article presents the government's allegations against Telegram without counterarguments or independent verification. It uses strong language such as 'new dark web' and emphasizes the government's stance, suggesting a pro-enforcement perspective. There is no balanced presentation of Telegram's or
Official sources cited
- government Affidavit filed by the Centre before the Delhi High Court
Scroll.inIndependentCenter3 days ago Delhi HC seeks Centre’s response on Telegram’s challenge to ban until NEET re-examThe Delhi High Court has requested the Indian government to respond to a petition filed by Telegram, which challenges the restriction on its services in India until June 22. This restriction was imposed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology following allegations of a paper leak in the NEET-UG exam. The court asked the government to provide details regarding the extent of alleged illegal activities on the platform, while also noting that any digital service could potentially be misused. The court did not grant any interim relief to Telegram. The National Testing Agency,which
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of legal proceedings without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the court's request for the government's response and mentions the reasons behind the restrictions without taking a stance.
Times of IndiaIndependentCenter3 days ago High Court seeks government's reply as Telegram challenges ban over NEET retestDelhi High Court has asked the Indian government for its response regarding the temporary ban on the messaging app Telegram, which has challenged the restriction ahead of the NEET-UG retest on June 21. The government claims there is 'shocking material' related to the app that it will present to the court. Telegram's legal team argued that the ban violates constitutional rights, specifically Article 14, and questioned the legality of the blanket order. They stated that all content requested by the government has been removed and that no emergency justification was provided for the ban. The case
Bias read (Center): The article presents both sides of the issue without overtly favoring either the government or Telegram. It includes direct quotes from both the Solicitor General and Telegram's counsel, providing a balanced view of their arguments. There is no evident editorializing or biased language that would倾斜
Official sources cited
- government Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
- organisation Telegram's Counsel Dhruv Mehta
The HinduIndependentCenter3 days ago Telegram was warned about misuse before blanket ban, says NTA chiefAbhishek Singh, Director-General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), stated that representatives of Telegram were warned at high levels about the misuse of the app's features facilitating 'paper leak frauds' prior to a blanket ban. The Electronics and Information Technology Ministry blocked nationwide access to Telegram until June 22 and ordered the platform to disable its message-editing feature for Indian users until June 30. The government aims to prevent the spread of fabricated leaks that could cause panic among students ahead of the NEET re-exam on June 21. NTA expressed concerns over坏
Bias read (Center): The article presents statements from an official source (NTA director-general) without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on actions taken by the government and mentions concerns raised by officials without taking a clear stance on whether the measures are justified or overly严
Official sources cited
- government Director-General of the National Testing Agency (NTA)
The HinduIndependentCenter4 days ago Delhi High Court issues notice to Centre on Telegram’s challenge to temporary ban ahead of NEET examThe Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Indian government regarding a petition filed by Telegram challenging the temporary suspension of its services in India. The suspension was implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, citing concerns over potential misuse during the NEET-UG re-examination. The court has directed the government to submit its response by June 18, 2026, with the matter to be heard on June 19, 2026.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly favoring either the government or Telegram. It reports on legal proceedings and provides details of the government's rationale for the suspension while mentioning Telegram's challenge. There is no evident editorializing, loaded language, or im
Official sources cited
- government Delhi High Court Notice
- government Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter4 days ago How Telegram’s ‘edited’ feature became a tool for scammers targeting vulnerable NEET studentsThe Indian government has temporarily restricted access to Telegram and disabled its message-editing feature ahead of the re-NEET examination on June 21. This action follows concerns raised by the National Testing Agency (NTA) about potential misuse of the editing feature to spread false information regarding exam paper leaks. The government claims this measure is necessary to prevent fraud and maintain the integrity of the examination process.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the government's actions and the reasons provided by the NTA without overtly favoring either side. It includes quotes or references to both the government's stance and the criticism from opposition groups, maintaining a balanced perspective.
Official sources cited
- government National Testing Agency (NTA)
Scroll.inIndependentCenter4 days ago Telegram challenges Centre’s temporary ban in Delhi High CourtTelegram has challenged the Indian government's temporary ban on its messaging platform in the Delhi High Court. The ban, imposed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, restricts access to Telegram until June 22, following allegations of a paper leak during the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The ministry also ordered Telegram to disable its message-editing feature until June 30, citing concerns over fabricated evidence related to the exam. Telegram argues that the block violates its users' right to equality under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, conti
Bias read (Center): The article presents both sides of the issue without overtly favoring either Telegram or the Indian government. It reports Telegram's legal challenge and the government's rationale for the ban, including quotes from both parties. There is no evident editorializing, loaded language, or one-sided sour
The HinduIndependentCenter5 days ago NEET-UG re-exam: Telegram app restricted in India at NTA requestThe Indian government, at the request of the National Testing Agency (NTA), has temporarily blocked the messaging app Telegram for a week starting from June 22, 2026, due to concerns over organized cheating during the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, 2026. At least one telecom operator has already implemented the block, and the app was removed from Google Play and Apple’s App Store. This marks the first instance of a major messaging app being blocked in India for a limited period. Telegram is noted for hosting various content, including pirated material and real-time news,
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding the temporary blocking of Telegram in India at the request of the NTA. It does not exhibit clear bias through loaded language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the actions taken by the government,
Official sources cited
- government National Testing Agency (NTA)
- government Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
The Indian ExpressIndependentLeft5 days agoThe founder of Telegram has claimed that India's ban on the messaging app has 'punished' over 150 million people.
Bias read (Left): The article uses language that frames the Indian government's actions as punitive against a large number of citizens, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective emphasizing individual rights and criticism of state overreach.
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter5 days ago ‘Leaks moved to other apps’: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov criticises temporary ban ahead of NEET-UG re-examTelegram CEO Pavel Durov criticized the Indian government's temporary ban on the messaging app, arguing that it unfairly targets ordinary users rather than those responsible for leaking NEET-UG exam questions. He stated that the ban did not prevent leaks, which have now shifted to other platforms. The National Testing Agency (NTA) claimed that Telegram was being used by scam networks offering false promises of access to exam papers for payment.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's criticism of the ban and the National Testing Agency's explanation for the ban. It does not favor one side over the other, providing quotes from both parties without editorializing or biased language.
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter5 days ago Lakhs demanded for paper, fake proof clips: NTA exposes Telegram racket ahead of NEET re-examThe National Testing Agency (NTA) has revealed a large-scale scam network operating on Telegram, targeting NEET-UG 2026 re-examination candidates. Fraudsters are falsely claiming access to leaked exam papers and demanding payments ranging from ₹14,000 to ₹10 lakh. The NTA warns that no such papers exist outside the secure system and cautions against sharing personal information with these groups. The Indian government has temporarily banned Telegram.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a confirmed scam involving fraudulent activities on Telegram, with no apparent ideological framing or biased language. It provides factual details without taking sides or showing preference for any political entity.
Official sources cited
- government National Testing Agency (NTA)
Scroll.inIndependentLeft5 days ago Rush Hour: Telegram access curbed ahead of NEET, over-the-counter sale of cough syrups banned & moreThe Indian government has temporarily restricted access to Telegram until June 22, citing concerns about the app's message-editing feature being used to spread false information about exam leaks. This comes ahead of the re-examination of the 2026 National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Additionally, the government has ordered Telegram to disable its message-editing feature until June 30. A separate report highlights the presence of 'Hindutva hate music' on major social media and streaming platforms, which dehumanizes and incites violence against religious minorities. The study found 523
Bias read (Left): The article discusses restrictions on Telegram and highlights the issue of 'Hindutva hate music' on digital platforms, which aligns with critical perspectives often associated with left-leaning narratives in India. The framing emphasizes concerns around misinformation and hate speech, which are key
Official sources cited
- government National Testing Agency
- organisation Center for the Study of Organized Hate
India TodayIndependentCenter5 days ago Telegram working despite ban, raises doubts on India's tech ability to block itIndia banned Telegram ahead of the NEET re-test on June 21, but the app continued to function normally shortly after the ban was announced. Despite being removed from major app stores like Google Play and potentially iOS, Telegram remained accessible via alternative methods such as other app stores and APK downloads. Some speculate that India lacks the technical capability at the ISP level to effectively block Telegram due to the app's built-in anti-censorship features.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts about the functionality of Telegram post-ban without overtly favoring any side. It mentions speculation about India's technological capabilities but does not take a clear stance or use biased language.
Official sources cited
- government India's ban on Telegram
India