India Blocks Telegram; VPN Downloads Jump 120% After NEET Exam Leak

- Ban on Telegram sparks massive shift to VPNs and alternate messaging apps - Delhi High Court cites exam integrity and national interest in upholding platform blockade On 2026-06-19, CoinDesk reported that the Delhi High Court upheld the Indian government’s temporary ban on Telegram. On June 19, 2026, the outlet stated that authorities had alleged cheating networks used the platform to leak questions and defraud candidates ahead of the NEET medical entrance exam. The decision, which was issued under Section 69A of the IT Act, aimed to safeguard exam integrity and protect national interests amid threats of widespread malpractice. According to CoinDesk, the court dismissed Telegram’s challenge, which argued that a platform-wide ban was disproportionate and affected millions of lawful users, and it cited the emergency nature of the situation. On 2026-06-19, Reuters reported that, on June 18, 2026, major telecom operators, Apple, and Google acted swiftly to restrict Telegram access while the ban took effect. In addition, TechCrunch reported on June 18, 2026, that user behavior changed dramatically in response. According to TechCrunch, downloads of VPN applications such as Proton VPN and Turbo VPN jumped between 49% and 120% above baseline, with registration rates peaking at 150%. The outlet added that alternative messaging services saw significant increases as well, as Signal’s downloads surged 72% on iOS and 322% on Android, Viber grew 216% on the App Store, and Telegram’s companion app iMe recorded the largest spike, rising from fewer than 1,000 to more than 50,000 daily downloads. As a result, this episode underscored the challenges of regulating digital platforms in India, as users adapted quickly to censorship through VPNs and alternate messaging apps. Therefore, the case highlighted ongoing debates about the proportionality of nationwide bans, the balance between regulatory enforcement and digital rights, and the broader impact on the country’s internet ecosystem.