Google Removes Telegram From Play Store On Govt Order, Apple Likely To Follow

In a significant regulatory action, Google has removed the messaging application Telegram from the Play Store following a government directive, while Apple is expected to implement a similar step in compliance with the same order, sources said on Monday.

According to officials familiar with the development, the government has instructed both tech giants to temporarily delist Telegram in India as part of measures aimed at preventing alleged paper leaks during the upcoming NEET (UG) examination re-test .

“The government has asked Google and Apple to delist the app temporarily. Google has done it. Apple will be doing it,” a source said, requesting anonymity.

When checked, the Google Play Store displayed a message indicating that the app was not available for download , confirming its removal for users in India.

The action follows recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which flagged the use of messaging platforms in the circulation and alleged fabrication of exam-related content. Acting on these inputs, MeitY issued a direction under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 , restricting access to Telegram in India for a limited period.

The restriction is reportedly in place until June 22, 2026 , covering the NEET (UG) re-examination date and the immediate aftermath to ensure examination integrity.

In a separate directive, Telegram has also been asked to disable the message-editing feature for previously posted messages in India until June 30. Authorities said the feature was allegedly misused to create after-the-fact “paper leak” evidence in connection with national-level examinations.

The National Testing Agency stated that these measures are intended to address specific structural vulnerabilities exploited on digital platforms during high-stakes examinations.

The development highlights growing regulatory scrutiny over messaging platforms in India, particularly in relation to exam security and misinformation control .