Messaging platform Telegram has returned to the Google Play Store in India after a temporary nationwide restriction imposed ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. The move marks the end of a week-long block that saw the app removed from app stores and access restricted across several networks.
However, while the ban has officially been lifted, many users have reported that Telegram services are not yet functioning normally. Some say messages are failing to send, the website remains inaccessible and app functionality is still inconsistent across devices and networks.
Why was Telegram banned?
The Indian government temporarily blocked Telegram until June 22 following concerns that the platform was being used by cheating networks involved in the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. The restriction was imposed on the recommendation of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and implemented under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.
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As per the report of moneycontrol, authorities said the measure was aimed at preventing the spread of leaked exam papers, fraudulent content and misinformation ahead of the re-test.
Why is Telegram still not working for some users?
Although Telegram has been restored on the Play Store, the return of services may not be immediate for everyone.
Users experiencing issues may need to:
Update Telegram to the latest version
Restart the app
Clear app cache
Restart their device
Wait for telecom operators and network providers to fully restore access
Reports suggest the restoration process is still underway in some regions, leading to intermittent disruptions.
One feature remains restricted
While Telegram itself is back, the platform's message-editing feature will reportedly remain disabled in India until June 30. As per moneycontrol's report, authorities said the feature had previously been misused to alter messages and create misleading evidence related to exam paper leaks.
Telegram challenges the decision
Telegram had challenged the government's temporary restriction in court, arguing that the move unfairly affected millions of ordinary users. However, the temporary ban remained in force until its scheduled expiry.
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The platform's founder, Pavel Durov, also criticised the restriction, stating that it penalised regular users rather than those responsible for alleged exam-related misconduct.
Gradual return to normal
With the restriction now lifted and Telegram once again available for download, users are expected to regain full access over the coming days as services stabilise nationwide. However, temporary glitches may persist while networks complete the restoration process.
FAQs:
Why was Telegram banned in India?
The app was temporarily restricted over concerns it was being used for NEET-UG 2026 exam-related fraud and misinformation.
Has Telegram been restored?
Yes, Telegram has returned to the Google Play Store after the temporary restriction ended.
