Telegram has suffered a major setback in one of its biggest markets after Google removed the messaging platform from its Play Store following a government order. Reports indicate Apple could soon take similar action, placing additional pressure on the popular app.
Telegram has been removed from Google’s Play Store in India after authorities ordered action against the messaging platform over concerns linked to examination malpractice.
The move comes ahead of the country’s highly anticipated NEET re-examination, one of India’s most important entrance tests for students seeking admission into medical schools. Government officials believe Telegram was being used by individuals and groups claiming to have access to examination papers and offering them to students in exchange for money.
As a result, authorities directed technology companies to restrict access to the platform during the examination period. Google has already complied with the directive by removing Telegram from its Play Store, making it unavailable for new downloads. Reports indicate that Apple may soon follow suit by taking similar action on its App Store. The development has sparked widespread discussion among students, parents, technology experts, and digital rights advocates across India.
According to reports, the restrictions are expected to remain in place until June 22, covering the examination period and the days immediately following it.
Users attempting to download Telegram from the Play Store are now unable to access the app through Google’s official marketplace. The decision follows months of controversy surrounding India’s National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, commonly known as NEET. The examination is one of the largest academic tests in the country and plays a critical role in determining admission into medical institutions.
Earlier this year, allegations surfaced that examination papers had been leaked before students sat for the test. The controversy triggered investigations and eventually led authorities to order a re-examination for millions of candidates. Government agencies say Telegram became one of the platforms where individuals allegedly promoted and sold what they claimed were leaked examination materials.
Investigators reportedly discovered several groups and channels advertising access to question papers and promising examination assistance for a fee. Officials believe such activities could undermine the credibility of the examination process and disadvantage honest students.
See Also: How AI is becoming the new oil and a tradeable commodity
Speaking about the government’s response, National Testing Agency Director General Abhishek Singh said authorities were determined to protect the integrity of the examination. “We will not let anything go wrong. We will take all possible actions to ensure that the examination is conducted without any malpractice,” Singh said.
The government has also reportedly instructed Telegram to disable certain platform features during the examination period. Among them is the message-editing function, which authorities claim has sometimes been used to alter posts after publication and create misleading impressions about examination leaks.
The action has generated criticism from some digital rights organisations. Critics argue that removing access to an entire platform affects millions of ordinary users who have no connection to examination fraud.
Many users depend on Telegram for business communication, educational discussions, community groups, and personal messaging. The Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights advocacy organisation, questioned whether the restriction was the most effective way to tackle the problem.
The group argued that enforcement efforts should focus directly on those responsible for fraud rather than limiting access for all users.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov also criticised the decision. “The ban hasn’t stopped anything. The leaks just moved to other apps,” Durov said while reacting to the government’s action.
His remarks reflect a concern shared by some technology observers who believe bad actors often migrate to alternative platforms when restrictions are introduced.
Telegram has become one of the world’s most widely used messaging applications over the years.
The platform is known for its large group chats, broadcasting channels, privacy features, and cloud-based messaging system. Millions of people across India use the app daily for communication, business updates, educational content, and news distribution.
At the same time, the platform has faced scrutiny in various countries over how some users employ its services. Governments have occasionally raised concerns about illegal activities, misinformation, and the use of encrypted communication tools to evade detection.
Supporters of the government’s decision argue that protecting the integrity of a national examination involving millions of students justifies temporary restrictions. They maintain that authorities have a responsibility to prevent any activity that could compromise the fairness of the testing process.
Opponents, however, warn that blocking access to widely used digital platforms can create unintended consequences and raise questions about online freedoms. The incident highlights the growing challenge governments face as they attempt to regulate online platforms while balancing public interests, security concerns, and digital rights.
For Google and potentially Apple, the situation also demonstrates how technology companies are often required to comply with government directives, even when those decisions affect millions of users. For now, Telegram remains under pressure as the examination period approaches.
Whether the restrictions are lifted as scheduled or extended further will likely depend on the outcome of ongoing investigations and the government’s assessment of examination security.
One thing is certain: the removal of Telegram from Google’s Play Store marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over platform responsibility, government regulation, and the role of technology in modern society.
As students prepare for their examinations and authorities continue their investigations, millions of Telegram users will be watching closely to see what happens next.
