- India blocked Telegram until June 22 to prevent cheating in exams
- Lockdown sparked surge in VPN usage as citizens look for solutions
- Telegram is now challenging the order in court
Millions of internet users in India are flocking to VPNs after the government ordered a temporary block of popular messaging platform Telegram.
David Peterson, CEO of Proton VPN, has already confirmed a +150% increase above normal levels, highlighting the rapid influx of new users trying to bypass the sudden censorship.
For everyday Internet users, this highlights how vital a VPN service has become a service to maintain uninterrupted access to basic communication tools. A virtual private network masks your real IP address and routes your connection through a secure server in another country, allowing you to easily unblock restricted apps like Telegram.
.@ProtonVPN hourly signups from India jump 150% Thursday night as MeitY blocks Telegram for 150 million users due to leaked exam questions. pic.twitter.com/vdG2tEJaklJune 16, 2026
The temporary restriction, which will be extended until June 22, 2026, was implemented by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to prevent cheating ahead of the controversial NEET-UG entrance medical re-examination.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) requested the blackout, alleging that bad actors were using the app’s message editing feature to spread fabricated exams and fake leak evidence. In response, Telegram is challenging the Indian government’s order in the Delhi High Court to restore the service.
The BGP Hijacking Controversy
The technical execution of the ban has also sparked huge controversy, extending the impact far beyond India’s borders. To enforce the block, Indian Internet service providers allegedly resorted to manipulating global Internet traffic routes.
Doug Madory, Director of Internet Analytics at Kentik, reported that telecom company Reliance “AS18101 of India hijacked BGP routes belonging to Telegram.” BGP, or Border Gateway Protocol, is the underlying system that directs traffic over the Internet. When a provider hijacks these routes, they essentially create a fake reroute, sending traffic into a black hole.
This method caused serious collateral damage, accidentally blocking Telegram for users in countries like the United Arab Emirates. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov publicly condemned the move, stating that the Indian telecom company was sabotaging global access and advising network operators around the world to reject unauthorized Internet routing ads.
India’s history of internet restrictions
While the Telegram blocking has made international headlines, sudden internet shutdowns are a common occurrence in India. According According to Surfshark research, India ranks first in Asia and the world for the number of restrictions.
Since 2015, the country has enforced at least 170 internet restrictions, far outpacing other nations. In June 2026 alone, the government implemented localized internet shutdowns in Uttarakhand, Jaipur and Haryana to maintain public order. It is worth noting that localized restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir are counted separately.
Telegram is also no stranger to censorship. Apart from India, the messaging app has been blocked in other countries around the world. Historically, around 30 different countries have disrupted the platform at least once, often during periods of political unrest or highly controversial national events.
For consumers, the bottom line is clear: as governments increasingly resort to app bans and network manipulation, having a secure VPN installed on your devices is no longer just an extra layer of privacy; It is a must-have tool to keep your digital life online.
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