Fake Telegram channels under government scanner
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting with central security and intelligence agencies to review preparations for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination, with a special focus on preventing paper leaks and curbing online misinformation.
Officials said the minister directed authorities to take strict action against fake Telegram channels and online groups spreading false claims and panic around the medical entrance examination.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Education and the National Testing Agency (NTA), where detailed discussions were held to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen security measures ahead of the re-exam.
Govt flags fake Telegram channels
In a parallel meeting, representatives from Meta, Google and Telegram were asked to coordinate closely with the government to stop the spread of misinformation related to competitive examinations.
Officials said several anonymous Telegram channels become highly active before major exams, circulating fake paper leak claims, clickbait content and unverified information that create confusion among students and parents.
“It was highlighted that many such links redirect users to automated bots and fake groups designed to amplify misinformation,” an official said.
Intelligence agencies reportedly informed the government that multiple suspicious channels were being operated using a limited number of phone numbers, indicating organised activity.
Dharmendra Pradhan orders crackdown
Taking serious note of the issue, Pradhan directed authorities to proactively identify, block and remove channels spreading fake content and propaganda before examinations.
The minister stressed that safeguarding students from misinformation and maintaining trust in the examination process remains a top priority.
He also instructed social media companies to work closely with the Ministry of Education, the NTA and law enforcement agencies to ensure swift action against misleading content.
NEET-UG re-exam on June 21
The NEET-UG 2026 examination, held on May 3 for undergraduate medical admissions, was cancelled by the NTA following allegations of a paper leak.
The matter is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), while the re-examination is scheduled to be conducted on June 21.
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