India’s digital revolution continues to transform the lives of millions, with over 86% of households now connected to the internet. This surge in connectivity, driven by the Digital India initiative, has enabled seamless access to digital services. However, it has also expanded the potential for cyber frauds, making cybersecurity an urgent national priority. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly envisioned a Digital India where cybersecurity is at the core of national security.
Cyber frauds—ranging from phishing scams and identity theft to deepfakes and unauthorized transactions—have grown alarmingly in scale and sophistication. Reported cybersecurity incidents rose sharply from 10.29 lakh in 2022 to 22.68 lakh in 2024, signaling both increasing threats and improved detection. According to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), frauds amounting to ₹36.45 lakh had been reported as of February 2025.
The rise of AI-powered scams, spoofing, and phishing, alongside misuse of platforms like UPI, reflects how fraudsters are exploiting new technologies. Online betting and gaming scams alone have reportedly generated over ₹400 crore in illegal gains. In response, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was passed, banning online money gaming and regulating online platforms to safeguard citizens.
To strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure, the Union Budget 2025–2026 allocated ₹782 crore for cybersecurity projects. Initiatives such as the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) and blocking of over 9.42 lakh SIM cards and 2.63 lakh IMEIs linked to frauds underscore the government’s proactive approach.
India’s cyber law ecosystem is anchored in the Information Technology Act, 2000, and enhanced by the IT Rules, 2021 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. These frameworks empower authorities to tackle cybercrime, enforce platform accountability, and ensure data privacy. Law enforcement capacity has also been scaled up, with over 1.05 lakh police officers trained via the CyTrain portal, and 24,600 personnel trained under the Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women and Children (CCPWC) scheme.
National cybersecurity agencies such as CERT-In, NCIIPC, and the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) play a pivotal role. CERT-In has conducted over 109 mock drills across 1,438 organisations, while I4C has helped block over 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts linked to fraud. The Samanvaya Platform and Sahyog Portal have enabled faster detection, criminal mapping, and content takedown, leading to nearly 13,000 arrests linked to cybercrime.
Public grievance redressal mechanisms such as the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) and the 1930 cybercrime helpline are empowering citizens to report frauds promptly. The CFCFRMS system has already helped save over ₹5,489 crore in 17.82 lakh complaints.
Research and innovation are also central to India’s cybersecurity strategy. The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) supports advanced research in AI, data protection, and fraud detection, fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and government.
To promote cyber hygiene, the government has launched nationwide cyber awareness campaigns, conducted Cyber Safety Weeks, and published guides such as the Cyber Safety Handbook for Students. The Cyber Crisis Management Plan (CCMP) ensures that government bodies are prepared for cyber emergencies, with over 205 workshops held across the country.
Cybersecurity was also a key highlight at the India Mobile Congress 2025, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event showcased India’s growing leadership in secure digital infrastructure, with over 1.5 lakh visitors, 7,000+ delegates, and 1,600+ tech innovations presented.
As India advances toward becoming a global digital powerhouse, the battle against cyber frauds must be fought on multiple fronts—policy, technology, enforcement, and awareness. The government’s multi-layered approach—bolstered by strategic investments, laws, and citizen engagement—is steadily turning India’s vision of a secure Digital India into a reality. However, securing the digital frontier requires shared responsibility, where citizens remain alert and governments stay agile in the face of evolving threats.
