Telegram founder Pavel Durov has criticised India’s temporary restriction on Telegram, saying alleged leak networks simply moved to other apps.
India’s temporary restriction on Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination has drawn a sharp response from Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, who argued that the move has not stopped exam-related leaks and instead pushed such activity to other platforms.
The Indian government temporarily blocked access to Telegram until June 22 following concerns that the platform was being used by networks involved in alleged exam fraud and fake paper leak schemes linked to the NEET-UG 2026 re-exam. Authorities said the action was taken to protect the integrity of the examination process.
What did Pavel Durov say?
Responding to the restriction, Durov said that banning Telegram does not punish those responsible for paper leak activities. According to him, individuals involved in such activities have already moved to alternative platforms, while ordinary users are bearing the impact of the restriction.
Durov also stated that the action affects more than 150 million users in India, which remains Telegram’s largest market. He argued that the measure has not effectively addressed the underlying problem and instead inconveniences regular users who rely on the messaging service.
Also Read: Is the NEET UG 2026 Paper Selling on Telegram? What the NTA Is Saying Ahead of June 21 Test
Why did India restrict Telegram?
The restriction comes days before the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21. Officials said Telegram channels were allegedly being used to spread fake leak claims and facilitate exam-related fraud. The government invoked provisions under the Information Technology Act and described the move as a last-resort measure after efforts to remove harmful content were not sufficient.
Reports also indicate that certain Telegram features, including message-editing functionality, faced additional restrictions as authorities investigated how the platform may have been used to circulate misleading information related to the examination.
Debate over the effectiveness of the ban
The decision has triggered debate over whether platform-wide restrictions are an effective way to combat exam fraud. Critics, including Durov, argue that users involved in illegal activities can migrate to other apps, while supporters of the move say it was necessary to prevent further disruption ahead of a high-stakes national examination.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Telegram temporarily banned in India?
The government said Telegram was allegedly being misused for exam-related fraud and fake paper leak activities linked to the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.
What did Pavel Durov say about the restriction?
Durov said the restriction does not stop leak networks because they have moved to other apps and that it unfairly affects millions of ordinary users.
How long is the restriction expected to last?
According to reports, the temporary restriction is in place until June 22, 2026.
