- Telegram was removed from Google Play Store due to government restrictions
- Restrictions were imposed ahead of the NEET re-examination in India
- Authorities increased oversight on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
Telegram has been removed from the Google Play Store after the government imposed restrictions on the messaging platform ahead of the NEET re-examination.
The move comes as authorities tighten oversight around the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India's largest medical entrance examination, which has faced scrutiny in recent years over allegations of paper leaks and irregularities.
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According to sources in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Telegram will remain completely inaccessible across India until June 22 as part of measures aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the re-examination process.
The restrictions are intended to curb the spread of misinformation and prevent any attempts to circulate unverified claims related to the examination.
Officials believe tighter controls on digital communication platforms are necessary during the sensitive period surrounding the test.
Sources said the messaging platform will be restored after June 22. However, Telegram's message-editing feature will continue to remain disabled in India until June 30.
The temporary suspension of the editing function is aimed at preventing the creation of fabricated evidence suggesting that examination papers were leaked before the test.
Authorities have expressed concerns that edited messages can be used to manipulate timestamps and create misleading records after an exam has already taken place.
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Officials noted that such post-event artefacts have, in the past, been cited as purported proof of paper leaks, complicating investigations and fuelling speculation on social media.
The latest restrictions are designed to ensure that any claims regarding examination malpractice can be verified through authentic and traceable digital records.
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