India temporarily blocked the Telegram messaging app ahead of a retaken national medical college entrance exam, the NEET, following a significant question paper leak scandal. The ban, lasting until after the retest, aims to curb cheating facilitated through the platform’s channels. Authorities also extended restrictions on Telegram’s message-editing feature, citing its use by fraud rings. The initial exam was cancelled in May due to the leak allegations, sparking protests and calls for the education minister’s resignation. Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, criticized the ban as ineffective, arguing it punishes legitimate users while failing to address the root cause of the leaks, which he says have simply migrated to other platforms. Digital rights groups have also condemned the ban as disproportionate, highlighting the impact on millions of Indian users.