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With the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, authorities have uncovered a structured Telegram-based scam network targeting aspirants through fabricated claims of leaked question papers, leading to a temporary restriction on the messaging platform across India.
The action has been taken under directions issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) under Section 69A of the IT Act, following alerts from the National Testing Agency (National Testing Agency). The restriction will remain in force until June 22, covering the examination day and immediate aftermath, while Telegram’s message-editing feature is also expected to be disabled until June 30 as part of precautionary measures.
A scam ecosystem built on fear and false certainty
Officials said that multiple Telegram channels are running coordinated fraud operations designed to exploit anxiety among students and parents ahead of the high-stakes exam. Two dominant scam models have been identified.
The first involves direct financial extortion, where fraudsters falsely claim access to “leaked NEET re-exam papers” and demand payments ranging from ₹14,000 to ₹25,000, with some cases reportedly escalating up to ₹10 lakh. Authorities have clarified that no question paper exists outside the secure examination system and all such claims are entirely fabricated.
The second, more deceptive layer relies on manufactured digital “proof”. Fraudsters circulate edited chats, manipulated timestamps and AI-generated videos to construct false evidence of paper leaks. Since Telegram allows message edits without changing timestamps, old conversations can be repackaged to appear authentic, creating a misleading sense of legitimacy.
AI tools, panic tactics and engineered credibility
Abhishek Singh, Director General of the NTA, said all circulating claims on Telegram have been verified and found to be fraudulent. He noted that scammers are increasingly combining AI-generated content with psychological pressure tactics to make their claims appear credible and urgent.
He warned that anyone offering question papers is deliberately engaging in fraud and exploiting fear among vulnerable students purely for financial gain.
Experts from IIT Madras, including Director V Kamakoti, have also explained how timestamp manipulation and recycled messaging can be used to fabricate convincing but false narratives of leaks, even when no breach has occurred in the examination system.
Government action and platform disruption
Acting on NTA recommendations, the government has temporarily restricted access to Telegram (Telegram) across India. Reports suggest partial disruption in services, with app availability and messaging affected in several regions.
Authorities have urged students and parents to rely only on official updates from the NTA and report suspicious activity to the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or via cybercrime.gov.in.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has criticised the move, arguing that it impacts millions of legitimate users while failing to eliminate perpetrators, who can simply shift to other platforms.
Despite criticism, officials maintain the restriction is a preventive step aimed at limiting exposure during a sensitive examination window. They argue that even partial disruption significantly reduces the number of potential victims.
The NEET re-exam was ordered after irregularities in the May session led to cancellation, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) currently probing the case. The NTA has also indicated it is exploring a shift towards computer-based testing in future examinations to strengthen security and reduce leak risks.
