Telegram Access Restored in India; Authorities Increase Focus on Online Safety

Messaging platform Telegram is back on the Google Play Store and accessible to many users in India following a temporary, week-long government-mandated block. Authorities had suspended the service between June 16 and June 22 to prevent the dissemination of leaked papers during the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination held on June 21. While the app is now functioning on Android, it remains unavailable on Apple’s App Store, and message-editing restrictions imposed by the government are scheduled to remain in place until June 30.

The block was executed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act following allegations by the National Testing Agency and the Ministry of Home Affairs that organized cheating rackets were distributing fraudulent content. The Delhi High Court upheld this action, finding it proportionate for public order. Simultaneously, the Hyderabad Police have launched a separate public advisory urging parents to monitor children's online gaming, citing risks of excessive screen time, predatory behavior, and unauthorized microtransactions that lead to behavioral issues and financial losses.

Despite restored Telegram access, the platform remains under scrutiny due to reports flagging its role in financial scams and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. Government officials have pledged continued monitoring of the platform’s security measures. For Indian families, these dual developments highlight the government's willingness to enforce strict digital restrictions to protect academic integrity, while local police focus on empowering parents with tools to recognize signs of digital addiction and improve safety in unregulated gaming environments.