Google restored the instant messaging app Telegram on its Play Store on Tuesday morning, June 23, 2026, following the expiration of a temporary ban imposed by the Indian government. The ban ended at midnight on June 22, and sources indicated that there was no change or extension of timelines in the original order.
Telegram became accessible to some existing users even before Google officially restored it on the Play Store. However, the app remained delisted on Apple's App Store until around 10 am. An emailed query sent to Apple did not elicit an immediate response.
Government's Temporary Ban on Telegram
The government had ordered a blanket ban on Telegram until June 22 due to the platform's failure to prevent the circulation of fake examination papers for the NEET exam, dissemination of misleading information, and other fraudulent activities that impacted the examination process. Before imposing the ban, government officials met with Telegram representatives on June 3 to flag these concerns. Following that meeting, the Centre decided to block the app and its associated web links, including the web version, until June 22.
Telegram has also been directed to block its message editing feature until June 30. The NEET re-examination was conducted on June 21, and so far, there has been no report of any fraudulent activity.
Impact and Current Status
The restoration of Telegram on the Google Play Store marks the end of the temporary ban, allowing users to download and update the app again. However, Apple users continued to face difficulties accessing the app as it remained delisted on the App Store for several hours after the ban ended. The government's actions highlight its ongoing efforts to curb the spread of fake news and fraudulent activities on social media platforms, especially those that could affect critical examinations like NEET.
Telegram's cooperation with the government's directives, including blocking the message editing feature, will be monitored closely. The successful conduct of the NEET re-examination without any reported fraud suggests that the temporary ban may have achieved its intended purpose.
