Massive VPN surge hits India as government blocks Telegram over exam fraud

• India blocked Telegram until June 22 to prevent exam cheating
• The block triggered a spike in VPN usage as citizens look for workarounds
• Telegram is now challenging the order in court

Millions of internet users in India are flocking to VPN after the government ordered a temporary block on popular messaging platform Telegram.

David Peterson, General Manager at Proton VPN, has already confirmed a +150% spike above normal levels, noting the rapid influx of new users trying to circumvent the sudden censorship.

For everyday internet users, this highlights how vital a reliable VPN service has become for maintaining 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.

The temporary restriction, which runs 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 medical entrance re-exam.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) requested the blackout, claiming bad actors were using the app's message-editing feature to spread fabricated exam papers and fake leak evidence. In response, Telegram is challenging the Indian government's order in the Delhi High Court to restore service.

The BGP Hijacking controversy

The technical execution of the ban has also sparked major controversy, stretching the impact far beyond India's borders. To enforce the block, Indian internet service providers allegedly resorted to tampering with global internet traffic routes.

Doug Madory, Director of Internet Analysis at Kentik, reported that telecom Reliance "AS18101 of India hijacked BGP routes belonging to Telegram." BGP, or Border Gateway Protocol, is the underlying system that directs traffic across the Internet. When a provider hijacks these routes, it essentially creates a fake detour, sending traffic into a black hole.

This method caused severe collateral damage, accidentally blocking Telegram for users in countries like the United Arab Emirates. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov publicly condemned the move, claiming that the Indian telecom company was sabotaging global access and advising network operators worldwide to reject the unauthorized internet routing announcements.

India's track record of internet restrictions

While the Telegram block has grabbed international headlines, sudden internet blackouts are a common occurrence in India. According to research by Surfshark, India ranks first in Asia and in the world by restriction count.

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 no stranger to censorship, either. Besides India, the messaging app has been blocked in other countries worldwide. Historically, around 30 different countries have disrupted the platform at least once, often during periods of political unrest or highly contentious national events.

For consumers, the takeaway is clear: as governments increasingly resort to app bans and network tampering, having a secure VPN installed on your devices is no longer just an extra layer of privacy; it is a mandatory tool for keeping your digital life online.

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