Telegram Block: From paper leaks to film piracy, Telegram has become a hub for illegal activities..

Ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-exam scheduled for June 21, the Central Government has taken a major step by temporarily blocking the instant messaging platform Telegram in India until June 22. The government took this action following a recommendation from the NTA (National Testing Agency). The NTA reported that certain individuals were using Telegram to provide fake question papers to students. Additionally, the app's message-editing feature has been temporarily disabled until June 30; the NTA stated that this feature was being exploited to edit old messages and insert fake question papers. Given this context, it is important to understand how Telegram is being used for illicit activities, including film piracy and exam paper leaks. Let us take a closer look.

Telegram Users in India: How many users does Telegram have in India?
This rapidly growing instant messaging app boasts a massive user base in India. According to a report by Resourcera, Telegram has 104.04 million (approximately 10.4 crore) active users in the country, making India the global leader in terms of Telegram MAU (Monthly Active Users). Over a billion Android users have downloaded the app via the Google Play Store. Meanwhile, on the Apple App Store, it ranks fifth among social networking apps.

What is happening on the Telegram app?
In India, Telegram is used for various purposes such as chatting and file sharing. However, the platform is also rife with activities that are legally prohibited yet continue unabated. It would not be incorrect to say that illegal activities are taking place right under the company's nose on its own platform, without any action being taken by the company. For instance, if someone wants a movie, they can find it on Telegram—but why? Numerous groups on this app share full movies and web series via links immediately upon their release; consequently, the app has gradually become a hub where movies are openly available—and completely free of charge.

One reason for this is that Telegram allows for the easy sharing of large files (up to 2GB), eliminating the difficulties usually associated with sending videos and heavy files. However, there is no oversight, raising the question: why isn't the company taking action? Strict measures are needed to curb such activities.

How did it become a platform for 'leaks'?
Activities that do not occur on other apps—specifically illicit ones—are rampant on Telegram. The issue goes beyond just free movie downloads; illegal activities like exam paper leaks (such as the NEET UG 2026 paper leak) also take place here, making the app a primary hub for wrongdoers.

Anonymity on the app: Creators of channels or groups can hide their phone numbers, as there is no requirement to display their actual numbers. Beyond just hiding phone numbers, users employ fake usernames for illicit activities, ensuring their identities remain concealed.

Wide reach makes it a hotspot: Once a Telegram channel is created, it can connect with millions of people, as there is no limit to the number of subscribers a channel can have. This means that whenever content is shared via a channel, it spreads like wildfire among millions of users.

Pavel Durov has been arrested.
Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris in 2024. He faced allegations that the platform was being used for illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and the dissemination of child pornography.

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