The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered a temporary ban on messaging platform Telegram in India under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The restriction will remain in effect until June 22, covering the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21.

The government has also directed Telegram to disable its message editing feature in India until June 30, even after the exam lifts. This means users will not be able to edit previously sent messages during this period.

According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the action was taken because certain individuals were using Telegram's edit function to create fake evidence of paper leaks in national-level examinations. "Some people would edit old messages and add question papers or PDFs to them. Later, it was claimed that the paper had leaked before the exam," an NTA press release stated.

Multiple channels demanding money for exam papers

The agency said several Telegram channels were operating under names like "Paper Leaked NEET", "Re-NEET 2026", "Private Mafia", and "REE NEET MAFIAA". Officials said these channels were demanding thousands to lakhs of rupees from students and parents in exchange for purported exam papers.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), in collaboration with Bihar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan Police, has already taken action against several Telegram channels, groups, and bots. The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested members of an interstate cyber fraud gang linked to the racket.

Investigations have so far revealed eight Telegram channels, transactions worth approximately ₹1.5 crore, and about 1,000 mobile numbers connected to the fraud, police sources said.

NTA: Ban last resort, inconvenience unavoidable

The NTA acknowledged the ban might inconvenience general users but defended the move as a last resort. "Prior to this, several steps were taken, including the removal of objectionable content. This decision was necessary to maintain the fairness of examinations," the agency said.

The NEET-UG examination, originally conducted on May 3, was cancelled following allegations of question paper leaks in several states. The NTA scrapped the exam on May 12 after investigation found indications of irregularities. The re-examination will now be held on June 21.

Changes made for re-exam

The NTA has increased the exam duration from 180 minutes to 195 minutes for the re-test. Space for rough work has also been expanded in the answer sheet.

NEET serves as the gateway to over 1 lakh medical seats across India, including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, nursing, and other courses at premier institutions such as AIIMS and JIPMER.

The agency has advised students not to trust unconfirmed information circulating on social media and to rely only on official updates at neet.nta.nic.in. Further details on the ban's enforcement are awaited.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced that the NEET UG 2026 re-examination will be conducted on June 21 across India. The decision comes after the agency cancelled the original examination held on May 3 following serious allegations of question paper leaks and procedural irregularities that impacted more than 22 lakh medical aspirants.

The announcement was made through NTA’s official communication channels, creating widespread attention among students, parents, and coaching institutes across the country. The NEET UG re-exam is now one of the most closely watched education developments in recent times, as it directly affects admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses nationwide.

Exam Cancellation and Controversy

The original NEET UG 2026 examination, conducted on May 3, saw massive participation from over 22 lakh candidates. However, shortly after the exam, allegations of paper leaks surfaced in multiple states. Reports suggested that question papers had been accessed and circulated before the examination, raising serious concerns about fairness and transparency.

As the controversy grew, students, parents, and several political groups demanded a thorough investigation. Facing mounting pressure, the NTA officially cancelled the examination earlier this week. The agency stated that the decision was taken in the “interest of maintaining integrity and fairness in the examination process.” The cancellation created uncertainty for lakhs of students who had spent months preparing for one of India’s most competitive entrance exams. Many had already begun counselling preparations when the decision was announced, forcing them to restart their exam strategy.

Government Review and High-Level Meeting

Before announcing the fresh exam date, the central government conducted a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Senior officials from the Ministry of Education and the NTA reviewed the situation, including security lapses and ongoing investigations.

Officials reportedly discussed strengthening examination security systems, transportation of question papers, and digital monitoring processes. The government has directed the NTA to implement stricter surveillance measures at exam centres to prevent any future malpractice. Sources also indicated that biometric verification, AI-based monitoring tools, and increased deployment of central observers are likely to be introduced in the upcoming examination.

NTA Official Statement

In its official communication shared on social media platform X, the NTA confirmed that the re-exam date has been finalized with the approval of the Government of India. The agency urged students and parents to rely only on official sources for updates and avoid rumours circulating on social media and messaging platforms.

The NTA also clarified that details regarding admit cards, city intimation slips, and revised guidelines will be released soon. Students have been advised to regularly check the official website for accurate information. Officials further emphasized that no changes have been made to the exam pattern so far, and all candidates should continue their preparation based on the existing syllabus.

CBI Investigation Intensifies

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe into the alleged paper leak network. According to officials, multiple arrests have already been made, and digital evidence is being analyzed.

Investigators are examining whether organized groups were involved in leaking question papers before the exam. The agency is also looking into possible internal involvement and financial transactions linked to the leak network. So far, five individuals have been detained and two others arrested in connection with the case. Officials have also recovered electronic devices, chat records, and financial documents that may help establish the chain of events behind the alleged leak. The investigation is still ongoing, and more arrests are not ruled out as authorities continue to trace the wider network involved.

Student Reaction and Growing Anxiety

The cancellation of the original exam and announcement of a re-exam has created mixed reactions among students. While some have welcomed the decision in the interest of fairness, many others have expressed concern over the loss of preparation time and mental stress.

Coaching institutes across India have reported a surge in demand for crash revision programs ahead of the June 21 exam. Many students are now trying to quickly revise their syllabus within a shorter timeframe, which has increased pressure significantly. Parents have also raised concerns about the uncertainty and repeated changes in exam schedules. Education experts believe that such disruptions can have long-term psychological effects on students preparing for high-stakes competitive exams.

Concerns Over Exam Integrity

Experts have once again highlighted the need for stronger safeguards in national-level examinations. The NEET controversy has revived debates over exam security, system transparency, and accountability of conducting bodies. Education analysts say the incident reflects systemic vulnerabilities that need immediate reform. The use of technology, stricter monitoring, and centralized control systems are being suggested as long-term solutions.

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NEET Exam Cancelled After Paper Leak: Bihar Solver Gang Bust Raises Fresh Concerns

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, citing serious irregularities including a suspected paper leak and organised cheating networks. A fresh examination will be held on a date to be announced soon after receiving government approval. 

The decision comes amid mounting evidence of leaks and the exposure of a sophisticated “paper solver” gang in Bihar that allegedly charged up to ₹60 lakh to help candidates secure seats.

Midnight vehicle check exposes network

On the night of May 2, police in Nalanda district’s Pawapuri police station intercepted two luxury SUVs — a Scorpio-N and a Brezza — during routine checking. Three persons were detained, including Awadhesh Kumar, an MBBS student of VIMS Medical College. Examination of his mobile phone yielded critical leads that unravelled a larger organised gang. 

Within days, Nalanda police arrested seven members. Further raids based on the primary accused’s identification were carried out in Muzaffarpur, Aurangabad, Jamui and other districts, leading to the arrest of four more individuals. All arrested persons have been sent to judicial custody. 

₹50-60 lakh deal for solvers

Investigations revealed the gang operated on a high-stakes model. It allegedly charged candidates between ₹50 lakh and ₹60 lakh per seat. An advance of ₹1.5 to 2 lakh was collected upfront, after which arrangements were made to replace the genuine candidate with a “solver” at the examination centre. 

Key operatives reportedly included Ujjwal Raj alias Raja Babu, Awadhesh Kumar and Aman Kumar Singh. Among those arrested later were Harshraj, son of a doctor from Sitamarhi, Manoj Kumar from Muzaffarpur, Gaurav Kumar from Bochahan, and Subhash Kumar from the Hathauri area. Police also recovered mobile phones and identity documents of several candidates. 

Rajasthan paper leak trail

Parallel to the Bihar arrests, disturbing details emerged from Rajasthan. Handwritten “guess papers” containing questions that closely matched the actual NEET paper were found with students in Sikar and surrounding areas. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested 13 suspects, including a career counsellor linked to a Sikar coaching institute, from Dehradun, Sikar and Jhunjhunu. 

Reports indicate that questions worth around 600 out of 720 marks had reached some students two days before the exam. A significant portion of these handwritten questions — reportedly over 150 — matched the final paper. Investigators are examining whether this constitutes a full paper leak or a sophisticated guess-paper operation circulated through social media and personal networks. 

NTA cites fairness concerns

According to the NTA, preliminary inputs from central agencies on May 8 prompted deeper scrutiny. After assessing the findings and obtaining necessary approvals, the agency decided to cancel the May 3 exam to protect the sanctity of the process. 

Students will not be required to register afresh. Existing application details, including exam centres, will remain valid. Fresh admit cards will be issued and the examination fee paid by candidates will be refunded.

Repeat of past controversies

The development echoes the 2024 NEET controversy when paper leak allegations surfaced from Bihar’s Patna and Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh. While the Supreme Court did not cancel the entire exam that year, a limited re-test was ordered for affected candidates. This time, the scale of reported irregularities and the involvement of an MBBS student in the solver gang have forced a complete cancellation. 

Impact on lakhs of aspirants

For over 20 lakh students who appeared for the exam, the cancellation means months of additional preparation under uncertainty. Many had travelled to distant centres and invested significant time and money. Coaching institutes and parents have expressed concern over the repeated disruptions to what remains India’s biggest medical entrance test. 

Police in Nalanda said raids are continuing to nab absconding members of the solver gang. Central agencies are meanwhile working to trace the full chain in the Rajasthan case, including possible links between coaching hubs and question paper handlers. 

The fresh NEET exam is expected to be conducted under tighter security protocols, though the exact schedule is awaited. For now, the focus remains on restoring credibility to a process that determines the future of India’s next generation of doctors.