New Delhi: Instant messaging platform Telegram has been restored in India after the Centre’s temporary ban ended at midnight on June 22. The app became available again on the Google Play Store on Tuesday morning, while it also reappeared on Apple’s App Store later in the day after a brief delay.
The restoration follows the completion of the government’s temporary restrictions, which were imposed from June 16 to June 22 during the NEET-UG re-examination period. The Centre has not extended the ban, and users are gradually regaining access to the messaging platform.
Many existing users reported that Telegram started working even before it returned to app stores. However, some users are still facing issues with signing up or accessing chats, particularly on Jio and Airtel networks, indicating that services are being restored in phases.
Why Was Telegram Banned?
The government temporarily blocked Telegram after raising concerns over the circulation of leaked NEET examination papers, fake exam-related content, misleading information, and other fraudulent activities on the platform.
Before taking action, government officials held a meeting with Telegram representatives on June 3 and highlighted concerns over the platform’s failure to effectively prevent the spread of illegal examination material. Following the meeting, the Centre ordered internet service providers to block Telegram’s mobile app, web version, and associated links until June 22.
The government also directed Telegram to disable its message editing feature until June 30 to reduce the risk of manipulation and circulation of leaked content.
NEET Re-Examination Completed
The NEET-UG re-examination was successfully conducted on June 21. According to government sources, no major incidents of paper leaks or fraudulent activities have been reported during the re-test, paving the way for the restoration of Telegram services.
Delhi High Court Upheld Government’s Decision
Telegram had challenged the government’s temporary ban before the Delhi High Court. However, the court refused to stay the order, ruling that the restrictions were legal, reasonable, and necessary to protect the integrity of one of India’s largest national entrance examinations.
Telegram Defends Its Actions
Telegram argued that it had actively removed more than 900 links containing unlawful exam-related content and claimed that the government had not fully acknowledged these efforts before the court.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov also criticised the temporary ban, stating that it affected millions of ordinary users while those responsible for the exam paper leaks could simply shift to other platforms.
Services Returning Gradually
Although Telegram is once again available for download and messages are being delivered normally for many users, the restoration is still underway. Some users continue to experience connectivity and login issues, suggesting that telecom operators are gradually restoring full access across the country.
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