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India temporarily banned Telegram on June 17, 2026, until Monday as authorities sought to combat widespread fraudulent activities during the NEET medical entrance exam retesting process. The ban reflects the government's effort to curb unauthorized communication channels that facilitate cheating among students. The move drew sharp criticism from Telegram's founder Pavel Durov, who called it a punishment affecting over 150 million people, emphasizing the broad impact beyond just exam-related users. Telegram has gained substantial user base in India due to its encrypted messaging and group communication features, which have also been exploited to share exam materials illicitly. Indian education authorities implemented the ban amid concerns that fraudulent answer sharing via Telegram groups was compromising exam fairness, undermining meritocracy in one of the country's most competitive academic settings. The temporary blockade highlights the tension between digital freedoms and regulatory enforcement intended to uphold educational integrity. The ban sparked public debate on the effectiveness and proportionality of government actions targeting digital platforms, with some advocating for better exam security protocols instead of widespread app restrictions. Telegram's response and government plans for exam security enhancements remain closely watched. The situation underscores the challenges governments face in balancing technological openness with fraud prevention in high-stakes testing.