New Delhi, 19 June (H.S.): The Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the Central government's decision to temporarily restrict access to the Telegram messaging platform ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for Sunday, June 21. The court ruled that the measure was justified and did not amount to a disproportionate restriction, citing the need to protect the integrity of the national medical entrance examination.

A vacation bench headed by Justice Tejas Karia dismissed Telegram's challenge to the government's order, observing that the temporary restriction was the least restrictive option available under the circumstances. The court further held that the Centre was legally empowered to issue directions to block access to the platform in the interest of maintaining the fairness of the examination process.

While delivering the verdict on Friday, the bench indicated that a detailed written order explaining the legal reasoning behind the decision would be released later.

The temporary restriction forms part of a series of enhanced security measures introduced before the re-examination. Authorities have stepped up surveillance of digital platforms following allegations that messaging applications were used to circulate examination-related material during previous entrance tests.

The NEET-UG 2026 examination, originally conducted on May 3, was cancelled after allegations of a question paper leak triggered widespread concerns over the credibility of the test. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is continuing its investigation into the alleged irregularities, while the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced stricter safeguards for the re-examination on Sunday, June 21.

The High Court's ruling reinforces the government's authority to impose temporary digital restrictions when considered necessary to safeguard the integrity of high-stakes public examinations, while emphasising that such measures must remain proportionate and limited in duration.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar