New Delhi, June 16, 2026 – In a sharp rebuke to the Indian government, Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov has criticised the temporary nationwide ban on the messaging app, calling it a blunt measure that unfairly affects millions of innocent users instead of targeting those behind exam paper leaks.
Durov took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his concerns, stating that the one-week block on Telegram punishes over 150 million regular users in India. He argued that the ban fails to address the real issue of leaked exam materials, as the content has simply shifted to other platforms.
Why Telegram Was Banned
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) imposed the week-long restriction on Telegram starting June 16, 2026. The ban is scheduled to remain in effect until midnight on June 22, ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination.
This decision comes in the wake of the massive NEET-UG paper leak scandal last month, which led to the cancellation of results for millions of students and triggered widespread protests. Authorities have accused certain Telegram channels of being used to circulate leaked question papers and facilitate cheating for the upcoming retest involving over two million candidates.
Durov’s Strong Response
In his statement, Durov highlighted that Telegram has already taken concrete actions against the problem, including removing hundreds of channels sharing leaked materials and improving features to detect edited messages. Despite these efforts, the government opted for a blanket ban.
“India’s IT ministry banned Telegram for one week because some users shared leaked exam questions. This punishes 150M+ ordinary Telegram users in India — not the insiders who leaked the exam materials. And the ban hasn’t stopped anything. The leaks just moved to other apps.”
Durov’s message underscores a key point: while the intention may be to secure exams, the approach harms everyday users who rely on Telegram for personal chats, business communication, news updates, and community groups.
Criticism from Digital Rights Groups
The ban has drawn flak from digital rights organisations, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, which described it as a “disproportionate answer to exam fraud.” Critics argue that the government should focus on strengthening law enforcement, improving cybersecurity, and going after specific bad actors rather than imposing broad restrictions on popular platforms.
This incident is part of ongoing global tensions between governments and Telegram regarding content moderation, data sharing, and user privacy. Durov has long positioned the app as a champion of free expression and privacy.
Impact on Indian Users
With over 150 million users in India, the ban is expected to disrupt daily life for many:
- Students and professionals losing access to study groups and work channels
- Businesses facing communication hurdles
- News and information flow getting affected
- Increased use of VPNs and alternative apps during the restriction period
Many users are already voicing frustration online, viewing the move as collective punishment rather than a targeted solution.
What Lies Ahead
As the NEET-UG re-examination approaches, the priority remains ensuring the fairness and integrity of the process. However, the Telegram ban has reignited debates about digital regulation, freedom of expression, and the balance between security and user rights in India.
Whether this temporary measure will effectively curb leaks or simply push problematic activities elsewhere is still uncertain. The coming days will likely see more discussions on smarter, less disruptive ways to tackle exam malpractices without penalising millions of ordinary citizens.
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