Digital India, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is scheduled to organise a special workshop on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, for officers of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on September 3, 2026.

The workshop, listed on the official Digital India events calendar as “DPDP Act Workshop for NCERT Officers,” is part of ongoing efforts to build awareness around India's digital personal data protection framework among government institutions. 

Focus on Digital Personal Data Protection

The workshop will focus on the provisions and implications of the DPDP Act, 2023, which establishes a legal framework for the processing of digital personal data. The legislation seeks to recognise individuals' rights over their personal data while allowing lawful processing of data for legitimate purposes.

For public institutions handling information related to students, teachers, employees and other stakeholders, awareness of data protection requirements has become increasingly important as administrative and educational services continue to move to digital platforms.

NCERT Officers to Attend

The programme is specifically listed for NCERT officers, indicating a focus on strengthening institutional understanding of data protection obligations within the education sector.

NCERT, as a national institution involved in school education, curriculum development, academic research and educational resources, operates in an environment where digital information and technology-based services play an important role.

Awareness and Capacity Building

Workshops on the DPDP Act are part of a wider awareness and capacity-building effort around India's data protection framework. Digital India has also listed similar programmes for officials of other government institutions.

An earlier Digital India update, for example, reported an awareness session on the DPDP Act for a batch of NCERT participants, conducted by the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under MeitY. 

DPDP Rules and Implementation

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act was enacted in August 2023. MeitY subsequently notified the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 on November 14, 2025, along with an enforcement timeline and other related measures. 

The rules provide the operational framework for implementing the provisions of the Act and are intended to support responsible handling of personal data while strengthening individuals' rights and trust in India's digital ecosystem.

Workshop Scheduled for September 3

According to the Digital India events calendar, the DPDP Act Workshop for NCERT Officers will take place on September 3, 2026. The programme is listed alongside other Digital India events scheduled during the month. 

The workshop is expected to provide participating NCERT officials with greater awareness of the data protection framework and its relevance to institutional handling of digital personal information.

The Digital India programme will organise a one-day State Awareness Workshop in Gangtok, Sikkim, on September 3, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen awareness of digital initiatives and services among state government departments.

The workshop will be held at ITC Hotels – Denzong Residency, Gangtok. The official Digital India event listing confirms that the programme is being conducted in collaboration with the Department of IT, Sikkim. 

Focus on Digital India Initiatives

The state awareness workshop is intended to familiarise participating government departments with key initiatives under the Digital India programme. Such programmes are aimed at improving awareness of technology-enabled governance and citizen-centric digital services.

Digital India is a flagship Government of India programme under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), with the broader objective of building a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. 

Sikkim Government Departments to Participate

The Gangtok programme is specifically described by Digital India as an awareness workshop for State Government Departments. Collaboration with the Department of IT, Sikkim, is expected to provide a state-level platform for discussing digital initiatives and their implementation.

The workshop comes as governments increasingly rely on digital platforms for public services, information delivery and administrative processes.

One-Day Programme in Gangtok

The workshop is scheduled as a one-day programme on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The event listing places the programme in Gangtok, Sikkim, with Denzong Residency identified as the venue.

The Digital India website has listed the Gangtok workshop among its scheduled events for September 3, alongside other programmes related to digital governance and awareness. 

Digital Governance and Citizen Services

Digital India initiatives cover a wide range of areas connected with digital infrastructure, governance and public services. Awareness programmes at the state level can help government officials understand available digital platforms and initiatives and support their adoption within departments.

The emphasis on state government departments also reflects the role of state-level institutions in taking digital public services closer to citizens.

Digital India’s Wider Objective

The Digital India programme seeks to use technology to improve access to government services, strengthen digital infrastructure and promote digital empowerment. The official programme describes its vision as transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. 

The Gangtok workshop will therefore provide a state-level platform for awareness and engagement around these broader objectives, with participation from government departments in Sikkim.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Meta and the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of eight states over concerns regarding the alleged circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and age-inappropriate content on Facebook and Instagram.

The Commission has sought detailed responses on the measures being taken to identify, remove and investigate such content, amid growing regulatory scrutiny of the social media company in India.

NHRC Flags Possible POCSO Violations

The human rights watchdog expressed concern that some of the reported content could potentially fall under offences punishable under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Speaking to media, NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said the allegations warrant a criminal investigation if the material is verified as child sexual abuse content, particularly where monetised or paid content is involved.

He stated that an FIR should be registered against Meta if investigators establish violations of applicable laws.

Authorities Asked to Investigate

As part of its proceedings, the NHRC has directed police authorities in eight states to examine the allegations and initiate appropriate legal action wherever necessary.

The Commission has also included the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in the matter and has reportedly shared 50 URLs with the concerned authorities to facilitate the investigation.

Kanoongo warned that if police and government agencies fail to act despite receiving the evidence, the Commission may recommend action against officials responsible for inaction.

Meta Under Increasing Regulatory Scrutiny

The latest notice comes at a time when Meta is facing increased attention from Indian regulators over its content moderation practices.

Earlier this week, company representatives met senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology following the temporary removal of a video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi from one of Meta's platforms.

Government officials reportedly sought an explanation for the incident and reviewed the company's compliance with existing content moderation and platform governance requirements.

Meta later stated that the removal occurred because of an erroneous takedown and apologised for the incident.

Meeting Covered Child Safety Measures

According to reports, the meeting between Meta officials and MeitY also included discussions on the company's efforts to combat child sexual abuse material, address AI-generated or synthetic content, and strengthen safeguards before removing content posted by verified public figures.

Officials also reviewed Meta's existing mechanisms for detecting harmful content and ensuring compliance with Indian regulations relating to online safety.

Investigation Underway

The NHRC's notices do not constitute a finding of guilt against Meta. The Commission has sought explanations from the company and the concerned state police authorities before deciding on further action.

The case is expected to remain under close watch as investigators assess whether the reported content violates Indian criminal law and child protection legislation.

NHRC Orders Criminal Action

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of six states and Union Territories to register First Information Reports (FIRs) against Meta Platforms over alleged violations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Instagram and Facebook.

According to reports, the Commission issued the directions after taking cognisance of allegations that pornographic and age-inappropriate content, potentially containing child sexual abuse material, was accessible through Meta-owned platforms.

The order applies to police authorities in Bihar, Chandigarh, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal and Delhi.

Complaint Triggered Investigation

The Commission acted on a complaint submitted by a non-profit organisation, which reportedly received anonymous information regarding several Instagram and Facebook links allegedly containing or facilitating access to CSAM.

The organisation clarified that it had neither viewed nor downloaded the suspected content and had only shared the URLs with authorities for investigation, stating that it acted in compliance with the POCSO Act and the Information Technology Act.

In its notice dated August 3, the NHRC directed the concerned authorities to investigate the allegations and initiate legal action wherever cognisable offences are established.

Police Asked to Register FIRs

The NHRC has instructed state police cyber crime units and Special Juvenile Police Units to examine the reported URLs and register FIRs wherever offences under the POCSO Act or other applicable laws are found.

Police have also been directed to identify those responsible for uploading or circulating the content, rescue any identified child victims, produce them before the Child Welfare Committee, and coordinate with agencies including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and Meta.

The Commission has sought detailed Action Taken Reports (ATRs) from all concerned authorities within one week.

Directions Issued to Meta and MeitY

The NHRC has also issued specific directions to Meta and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Meta has been asked to immediately remove the reported content, preserve metadata, IP logs and other digital evidence, comply with mandatory reporting obligations under the POCSO Act, and provide details of the preventive mechanisms adopted to detect and prevent child sexual abuse material on its platforms.

MeitY has been directed to submit a report on the blocking of the identified URLs, action taken against the intermediary and measures being implemented to strengthen online child safety.

Inquiry Linked to Earlier BBC Investigation

The latest directions follow an earlier NHRC proceeding initiated after a BBC World Service investigation alleged that paid advertisements on Instagram promoted or facilitated access to child sexual abuse material through coded search terms before redirecting users to Telegram channels.

Following those reports, the NHRC had instructed Delhi Police to conduct a detailed investigation, preserve electronic evidence and examine whether Meta fulfilled its legal obligations to report suspected offences under Sections 19 and 20 of the POCSO Act.

The Commission later issued a reminder after Delhi Police failed to submit its Action Taken Report within the prescribed deadline.

Separate NCPCR Probe Underway

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also initiated a separate inquiry into allegations that Meta's platforms were used to facilitate access to child sexual exploitation material.

The Commission sought an explanation from Meta after taking suo motu cognisance of the BBC investigation. Government sources said the company's response has been received and is under examination.

The NHRC has reiterated that every instance involving the creation, circulation or continued availability of child sexual abuse material constitutes a continuing violation of children's dignity, privacy and fundamental human rights, requiring urgent investigation, victim rehabilitation and prosecution of those responsible.

Meta has come under fresh political and regulatory scrutiny in India after a Parliamentary Standing Committee reportedly sought an unconditional apology from the company's Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg over the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video from Facebook.

According to reports, the committee has warned that Meta could face consequences regarding its intermediary protections if it fails to respond satisfactorily to the issue.

The controversy stems from the temporary unavailability of a video featuring Prime Minister Modi addressing students and Gen Z audiences on examination-related issues and paper leaks. The video reportedly remained inaccessible on Facebook for nearly five to six hours before being restored.

Panel Demands Unconditional Apology

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has reportedly written to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), expressing concern over the removal of the Prime Minister's video.

Committee Chairman Nishikant Dubey stated that Meta should issue an "unqualified apology" within three days. He argued that deleting the Prime Minister's video reflected the actions of a publisher rather than an intermediary platform.

Dubey also urged the government to consider withdrawing Meta's intermediary or "safe harbour" protection if the company failed to apologise within the stipulated period.

Questions Raised Over Safe Harbour Protection

The committee's remarks have once again brought attention to the legal protections available to digital platforms under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act.

Safe harbour protection shields intermediaries such as Meta, Google, YouTube, X, Amazon and other digital platforms from liability for content posted by users, provided they comply with legal obligations and remove unlawful content when directed by authorities.

According to Dubey, platforms should not misuse these protections while allegedly allowing objectionable or harmful content to circulate.

Meta Officials Meet Government

Amid the controversy, a Meta delegation led by Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan reportedly met MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan in New Delhi.

The discussions focused on the temporary removal of the Prime Minister's video and the government's concerns regarding the incident. No official statement detailing the outcome of the meeting has been released so far.

Police Investigation Underway

The matter has also reached law enforcement agencies.

Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have reportedly registered two FIRs based on complaints filed by BJP workers regarding AI-generated and allegedly morphed videos circulating on social media.

Meta India Head Arun Srinivas has reportedly been named as a co-accused in the cases along with several social media account handlers.

Investigators are examining those allegedly responsible for creating and uploading the manipulated content, while also reviewing Meta's moderation systems and safeguards designed to prevent the spread of fake or misleading material.

Global Meta Team May Be Questioned

According to reports, Meta's global team is expected to visit Delhi next week for discussions with Indian authorities.

Officials are likely to seek explanations regarding the functioning of Meta's recommendation algorithms, content moderation practices, and the company's role in addressing misinformation and maintaining public order on its platforms.

The reported visit comes as regulatory scrutiny of major technology companies continues to increase in India over issues related to content moderation, platform accountability and intermediary responsibilities.

Broader Debate Over Platform Accountability

The latest controversy has renewed the debate over the responsibilities of social media companies operating in India.

While digital platforms maintain that they function as intermediaries hosting user-generated content, policymakers continue to examine whether certain content moderation decisions place them in the role of publishers, potentially affecting the legal protections available under Indian law.

The developments are expected to remain under close watch as authorities continue their investigation and await Meta's response.

 Social media giant Meta has apologised after a Facebook video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was temporarily restricted on its platform, attributing the incident to a technical error. The company said the content had been removed mistakenly and has since been restored.

The controversy erupted after a video shared by the Prime Minister regarding the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests was briefly inaccessible to users on Facebook. During the period it remained unavailable, users attempting to view the post were shown a message stating that the content had been restricted in India due to a legal request.

Meta Says Video Was Removed by Mistake

Responding to the incident, a Meta spokesperson said the restriction was unintentional.

"The content was removed in error and has since been restored," the company said.

The clarification came after the incident triggered criticism from several quarters, with concerns being raised over the temporary blocking of a post shared by the country's Prime Minister.

Government Seeks Explanation

According to reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has taken note of the incident and is expected to seek a detailed explanation from Meta regarding how the Prime Minister's video was restricted.

Government sources indicated that the issue is being treated seriously, and Meta's global leadership has reportedly been asked to clarify the circumstances that led to the temporary removal of the content.

Video Focused on Paper Leak Reforms

The video was uploaded while nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak were still underway.

In the address, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the government's proposed measures to curb examination malpractices, including the establishment of fast-track courts for paper leak cases and plans to strengthen the country's anti-paper leak law.

The message formed part of the government's outreach to students and young citizens amid growing public concern over examination irregularities.

Protests Ended After Government Accepted Key Demands

The controversy comes shortly after the 36-day-long CJP-led protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar concluded following the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The protest ended after the government accepted three key demands, including:

• Compensation for families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide.

• Withdrawal of FIRs and legal cases registered against protesting students.

• Resignation of the Education Minister.

Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down on July 25, following which protest organisers announced the conclusion of the agitation.

Digital Outreach to Young Voters

Reports suggest the Prime Minister has increasingly relied on social media platforms, particularly Instagram and Facebook, to engage with younger audiences.

The now-restored video was viewed as part of this broader digital outreach strategy, aimed at communicating the government's position on examination reforms and addressing concerns raised by students across the country.

The incident has also reignited discussions about content moderation practices adopted by global technology companies and the need for greater transparency in handling high-profile public communications.

The Common Services Centres (CSC) Foundation Day was celebrated on Thursday, marking 16 years of the Digital India initiative's grassroots service delivery network. The event highlighted the transformation of Common Services Centres into one of the country's largest digital public service platforms, providing government-to-citizen (G2C), business-to-citizen (B2C) and financial services across rural and remote areas.

The programme was attended by Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada, who underscored the role of CSCs in expanding digital access, promoting financial inclusion and strengthening citizen-centric governance.

16 Years of Digital Transformation

Established to bridge the digital divide, the CSC network has evolved into a key pillar of India's digital governance ecosystem. Over the past 16 years, Common Services Centres have enabled millions of citizens, particularly in rural regions, to access government schemes, digital payments, banking, insurance, telemedicine, education and other essential public services closer to their homes.

Officials noted that the network has played a significant role in supporting the objectives of the Digital India programme by making technology-driven services accessible to people in villages and underserved communities.

Focus on Rural Digital Inclusion

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the government's continued commitment to building a digitally empowered society and expanding digital public infrastructure across the country. He emphasised that CSCs have become an important link between citizens and government services, especially in rural India.

Minister of State Jitin Prasada also acknowledged the contribution of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), who operate CSCs and serve as the backbone of the initiative by delivering digital services at the grassroots level.

Wide Range of Citizen Services

Today, CSCs offer a broad spectrum of services, including Aadhaar-related assistance, PAN card applications, passport services, utility bill payments, banking correspondents, insurance, telemedicine consultations, digital literacy programmes and access to various welfare schemes.

The network has also supported digital financial inclusion by facilitating banking services in villages where traditional banking infrastructure remains limited.

Strengthening Digital India

The Foundation Day celebration reflected the government's emphasis on leveraging technology for inclusive development. Officials reiterated that CSCs will continue to play a crucial role in expanding digital governance, improving service delivery and ensuring last-mile connectivity for citizens across the country.

As India advances its Digital India vision, the CSC ecosystem is expected to further strengthen access to digital public services, promote entrepreneurship in rural areas and contribute to inclusive economic growth through technology-enabled governance.

The second edition of the Digital Threat Report 2025-26 was jointly released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the Computer Security Incident Response Team in Finance (CSIRT-Fin) and cybersecurity firm SISA. The report focuses on the banking, financial services, insurance and digital payments ecosystem, and draws on digital forensics research, incident response data and analysis of adversarial AI use.

Its central finding is a shift away from direct system compromise toward what the report calls trust-chain manipulation — attackers targeting biometric onboarding, partner applications, AI-driven decision-making, real-time payments and APIs rather than simply attacking passwords or transactions head-on. Social engineering and business email compromise attacks have intensified, the report noted, while credential theft and session hijacking have become the dominant way attackers gain initial access. Perhaps more strikingly, the report said phishing attempts have become sophisticated enough to be context-aware, making them almost indistinguishable from legitimate communication — a shift that has made BFSI the most targeted sector overall.

Underlying much of this is what the report's authors describe as AI asymmetry: offensive capabilities are advancing faster than defensive ones, letting comparatively low-resource attackers carry out operations that once required specialist teams and weeks of manual effort. The report noted that six of seven predictions from last year's edition have already materialised, illustrating how quickly threats are moving from emergence to active exploitation — a gap that's narrowed from years down to months or even weeks.

MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan, speaking at the report's launch, said trusted partnerships between public institutions and industry are essential to strengthening digital trust, calling the report a meaningful collaboration between CERT-In, CSIRT-Fin and SISA. CERT-In Director General Dr Sanjay Bahl said cyber resilience must be treated as a shared responsibility across institutions, regulators and the broader digital supply chain as India's financial ecosystem becomes more interconnected and real-time. SISA founder and CEO Dharshan Shanthamurthy said the narrowing gap between innovation and exploitation changes how the industry needs to defend itself.

To address the risks identified, the report recommends making active liveness detection standard for digital onboarding, adopting continuous session assurance through behavioural biometrics and device monitoring, and extending identity governance beyond human users to cover service accounts, machine identities and autonomous AI systems as well.

The report's release follows a separate industry study by the Boston Consulting Group and the Data Security Council of India, published earlier this year, which found cyberattacks on Indian BFSI institutions have roughly doubled since 2021 and now occur at 1.6 times the global average — with mid-sized institutions facing the highest exposure due to comparatively lower cybersecurity spending.

Centre acts after reports of remote e-rickshaw shutdowns; advisory issued to drivers to secure Bluetooth-enabled battery systems

The Centre has ordered the removal of seven Chinese mobile applications linked to Bluetooth-enabled battery management systems (BMS) used in electric rickshaws after receiving hundreds of complaints from across the country alleging that vehicles were being remotely switched off while in operation.

The move comes after incidents reported from several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where e-rickshaw drivers claimed that their vehicles suddenly stopped functioning in the middle of roads, causing inconvenience, financial losses and safety concerns.

According to officials, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed the concerned app stores to remove seven applications, including those associated with battery management systems manufactured by Chinese companies. The decision follows growing concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the possibility of unauthorized remote access to battery systems.

Hundreds of complaints prompted government action

Government sources indicated that authorities had been receiving complaints on an almost daily basis from different parts of the country. In Bhopal alone, police reportedly received dozens of complaints, while similar incidents were reported in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Investigations suggested that some Bluetooth-enabled lithium battery systems installed in e-rickshaws could be remotely accessed if adequate security measures such as password protection were absent. In certain cases, individuals allegedly connected to nearby battery systems using mobile applications and activated a "discharge" command, causing the vehicle to stop immediately.

The ministry has advised users to verify whether battery management applications installed on their devices are genuine and to uninstall applications that are no longer supported or appear suspicious.

How the battery management apps function

Battery Management System (BMS) applications are commonly used to monitor lithium-ion battery health, charging status, temperature and overall performance. These applications communicate with batteries through Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to monitor battery parameters from their smartphones.

However, cybersecurity experts warn that batteries lacking proper authentication or default passwords may become vulnerable to unauthorized access.

The report noted that older lead-acid battery-operated e-rickshaws are generally unaffected because they do not use Bluetooth-based battery management systems. Similarly, branded lithium battery manufacturers that provide encrypted software and secure password protection are considered relatively safer against such misuse.

What drivers should do if the vehicle stops

Technology experts have advised drivers that if an e-rickshaw suddenly shuts down, they should first switch off the vehicle using the key, wait for five to ten seconds, and then restart it. In many cases, the battery management system resets itself and resumes normal operation.

Drivers have also been advised to disable Bluetooth on their mobile phones when not required, change default Bluetooth passwords, and consult battery manufacturers to disconnect unnecessary Bluetooth modules wherever possible.

Tampering with battery systems may attract legal action

Authorities have warned that intentionally accessing or interfering with another person's battery management system without authorization constitutes a cyber offence under Indian law. Such actions may attract criminal prosecution under provisions of the Information Technology Act relating to unauthorized access and computer-related offences.

Officials also emphasized that deliberately stopping a moving vehicle through digital interference could create public safety risks and may invite additional legal consequences.

The government has appealed to e-rickshaw owners, battery manufacturers and service providers to strengthen cybersecurity measures while encouraging users to install software updates only from trusted sources.

As India's electric mobility ecosystem expands rapidly, the latest action underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity alongside road safety, particularly as connected vehicle technologies become increasingly common across the transport sector.

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 Centre has ordered a temporary ban on access to Telegram in India until June 22 and directed the platform to disable its message‑edit feature in the country until June 30, officials said on Tuesday. The move comes days before the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET‑UG) re‑examination on June 21, which was called after a paper‑leak controversy.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) said the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the order under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. According to the NTA, the edit facility on Telegram was being misused to create forged evidence of paper leaks — users were editing old messages to insert question papers or PDFs and later claiming that leaks had occurred before exams.

“The step aims to curb circulation of fabricated evidence and ensure fairness of the re‑examination,” an NTA statement said, adding that the restriction on Telegram’s access will remain in effect through June 22 and the edit feature will be disabled until June 30. The agency acknowledged the inconvenience to ordinary users but called the measures “necessary” for exam integrity.

The NTA said it had exhausted other options before the ban, including requests to remove objectionable content and coordination with law‑enforcement agencies. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), working with police teams in Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan, has already taken action against several Telegram channels, groups and bots linked to exam malpractice and extortion.

Investigations have revealed organised activity on channels using names such as “Paper Leaked NEET”, “Re‑NEET 2026”, “Private Mafia” and variations claiming to supply papers. The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has detained members of an interstate cyber‑fraud gang, and the probe has reportedly uncovered around eight Telegram channels, roughly 1.5 crore rupees in transactions and about 1,000 mobile numbers connected to the operation.

The NTA warned students against trusting unverified information on social media and urged them to rely only on official sources: the NEET portal (neet.nta.nic.in) and NTA’s verified handles. “Information related to the exam should only be taken from official channels,” the agency said.

The ban is narrowly timed to cover the re‑exam period; access will be restored after June 22, the NTA added. The temporary disabling of message editing will remain longer to prevent retrospective manipulation of threads that could be used to manufacture false evidence.

Separately, the NTA has altered the NEET‑UG re‑exam format. The duration has been extended from 180 minutes to 195 minutes, and additional space for rough work has been provided on the answer sheet, the agency confirmed. These changes come as part of efforts to accommodate logistics and ensure students are not disadvantaged.

Student groups and legal experts said they expect pushback from users and civil‑liberties advocates over a country‑wide block of an app used by millions. Some noted that blocking platforms is a blunt tool, while others accepted targeted restrictions if backed by clear evidence of criminal misuse. The government has framed the action as a limited, evidence‑driven intervention aimed at preventing large‑scale fraud that could again derail a national exam.

Law‑enforcement agencies are continuing investigations into alleged extortion and paper‑leak networks. The I4C and state police units have been asked to follow leads and identify financial trails, administrators said. Meanwhile, the NTA reiterated that students should avoid rumours and check only official updates about exam timing, centres and protocols.

The court said the matter involves 'far-reaching issues' and sought the Centre's response on the blocking of the Cockroach Janta Party X account over national security concerns.

No immediate restoration

The Delhi High Court on Friday declined to order the immediate restoration of the Cockroach Janta Party’s X account, dealing a preliminary setback to the satirical online collective that had gathered millions of followers within weeks. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said that while the petitioner’s arguments might have merit, the government must be heard first because the case carries “far-reaching issues”.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who challenged the blocking of the party’s account under national security provisions. The court made it clear that any relief could only be considered after the Centre submits its stand.

Centre asked to respond

The Union government has been given four weeks to file a detailed reply. The next hearing is listed for July 6. The court also noted that neither the judges nor Dipke’s legal team have seen the actual blocking order so far.

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has been asked to cooperate. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, indicated that the government had concerns about the platform’s conduct in this matter, remarking that the intermediary appeared to be “assisting” the petitioner.

Review panel to examine blocking order

In a notable direction, the court said the blocking order must be reviewed by the statutory committee formed under the Information Technology Rules. That committee is required to meet every two months and has the power to examine all aspects of such orders.

Since Dipke is currently based in Boston, USA, the court added that he could request permission to appear before the review panel through video conferencing. The bench observed that confidentiality concerns around the blocking order could be examined later, but for now the review mechanism must be allowed to function.

National security grounds

According to reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed X to withhold the CJP account under Section 69A of the IT Act after receiving inputs from the Intelligence Bureau that raised national security concerns. Dipke’s petition, filed through advocate Nakul Gandhi of NG Law Chambers, argues that the move is disproportionate and stifles political satire.

The government has not publicly disclosed the specific content that triggered the blocking order. The court acknowledged that the absence of such details makes it difficult to assess the case at this stage.

How the Cockroach Janta Party emerged

The Cockroach Janta Party started earlier this month as an online spoof movement that rapidly went viral, especially among young social media users. At its peak, the group claimed hundreds of thousands of followers on X and over 22 million on Instagram.

The name drew from a remark made by Chief Justice Surya Kant during a Supreme Court hearing on May 15. The CJI had spoken about unemployed young lawyers drifting toward social media and RTI activism, using the phrase “youngsters like cockroaches”. He later clarified that the comment targeted people using fake degrees, not unemployed youth in general. Dipke, who lives in Boston, repurposed the phrase to build a satirical platform commenting on unemployment, institutional accountability and media freedom.

Free speech arguments

Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Dipke, argued that the CJP account was “pure satire” and requested temporary restoration of the account while the case proceeds. He suggested an intermediate solution – keeping individual posts blocked rather than the entire account.

The court was not persuaded to grant urgent relief. Justice Kaurav observed that this case appeared different from earlier instances where blocked accounts had been restored during legal proceedings, largely because the legal framework around such issues is still developing. “The reasons behind the blocking remain unclear,” the bench noted, adding that a full hearing after the government’s reply would be the appropriate course.

The court also asked the review committee to expedite its examination. For now, the Cockroach Janta Party’s X account stays blocked, and its millions of followers will have to wait until at least July for any possible clarity.