Why did India ban Telegram for a week before the NEET retest?

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India Restricted Telegram Access Ahead of NEET Retest Due to Exam Fraud Concerns

India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology implemented a temporary block on Telegram access preceding the NEET retest, citing concerns over its organised use by cheating syndicates. This measure aimed to curb fraudulent activities and protect the integrity of the examination process for aspiring medical students. The restriction on Telegram's message-editing features was extended further, remaining in place until June 30.
Disruption to Curb Cheating Rackets

The decision to restrict Telegram was directly linked to the alleged organised use of the platform by cheating rackets. India's National Testing Agency stated that these measures were enacted "in the interest of public order" and to prevent candidates from being defrauded. This action followed allegations that question papers for the NEET exam had been leaked and circulated through Telegram channels, leading to the cancellation of the original exam in May.
Impact on Ordinary Users and Alternative Platforms

While the ban was intended to disrupt fraudulent activities, Telegram founder Pavel Durov commented that the week-long restriction did not effectively stop leaks and instead inconvenienced the 150 million ordinary users in India. He suggested that the illicit activities merely migrated to other messaging applications. The Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights organisation, deemed the ban a disproportionate response to exam fraud.
Broader Context of Competitive Exams and Fraud

The NEET exam, one of India's most competitive, attracts over two million applicants, highlighting the immense pressure to succeed in securing a professional career. This intense competition has fostered a lucrative industry around coaching centres and, unfortunately, created opportunities for criminal networks to profit from leaked examination papers. The government has also launched a website for the public to report suspicious activities related to the exam, underscoring the ongoing efforts to address such malpractices.

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Why did India ban Telegram for a week before the NEET retest?

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