NEET Leak Row Exposes Telegram's Dual Role in India's Shadow Education Economy

Telegram's temporary ban in India, triggered by its alleged role in NEET exam paper leaks, has reignited debate over the platform's place in the country's education landscape. While many students rely on Telegram for affordable access to study materials, the platform also enables widespread sharing of paid educational content without authorization. This has drawn criticism from copyright holders and sparked legal battles over intellectual property in the education sector. Critics of the ban argue it penalizes legitimate users without tackling the deeper systemic causes of exam leaks. The controversy highlights the difficult challenge policymakers face in balancing intellectual property protections against the need for broader educational access.