India’s Multi-Pronged Push Against Cyber Threats

In a digital era where cyber threats lurk behind every click, India’s Central Government is ramping up its arsenal against online crimes.

On December 3, 2025, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar highlighted comprehensive capacity-building schemes in Rajya Sabha, emphasizing coordinated efforts to empower law enforcement and protect citizens.

With ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ as state subjects under the Constitution’s Seventh Schedule, the Union supplements states through advisories and funding, fostering a unified front against escalating cyber risks.

This comes amid a surge in incidents: As of February 2025, over ₹36.45 lakh in cyber frauds were reported via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), underscoring the urgency for robust defenses.

The initiatives, channeled through the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), combine technology, training, and public outreach not only to respond to but also to prevent threats.

Core Pillars: From Reporting To Response

At the heart is I4C, established as a dedicated hub for nationwide coordination.

Launched in 2018, it now anchors tools like the NCRP (cybercrime.gov.in), enabling swift reporting of crimes, especially those targeting women and children.

States handle FIRs and probes, but I4C streamlines data flow.

A standout success is the 2021 Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS).

Integrated with the toll-free helpline 1930, it has intercepted over ₹7,130 crore in potential losses across 23.02 lakh complaints.

By halting fund transfers in real-time, it exemplifies proactive intervention.

Complementing this, the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) unites banks, telecommunications companies, and police representatives for seamless action.

It has blocked 11.14 lakh SIM cards and 2.96 lakh IMEIs flagged by authorities, choking fraudsters’ lifelines.

Building Expertise: Labs, Training, And Commandos

Capacity building is the linchpin.

The Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) scheme, backed by ₹132.93 crore, has operationalized forensic-training labs in 33 states/UTs.

Over 24,600 personnel, including investigators, prosecutors, and judges, have undergone sessions on forensics and awareness.

New forensic labs under I4C, one in New Delhi (established in 2019) and another in Assam (planned for August 2025), have aided 12,952 cases.

The CyTrain MOOC platform boasts 144,000 registrations, issuing 119,000 certificates in investigation essentials.

Enter the Cyber Commando program, unveiled by Home Minister Amit Shah in September 2024.

This elite wing has trained 281 specialists at IITs, IIITs, and forensic universities, fortifying critical infrastructure.

It is a game-changer, creating a rapid-response cadre amid rising state-sponsored hacks.

Tech-Driven Coordination And Awareness Surge

Platforms like Samanvaya act as a nerve center: An MIS for data analytics, it has linked interstate crimes, leading to 16,840 arrests and 1.05 lakh investigation aids.

Its ‘Pratibimb’ module maps criminal hotspots, aiding targeted law enforcement strikes.

The Suspect Registry, launched in September 2024 with banks, flags 18.43 lakh identifiers and 24.67 lakh mule accounts, averting ₹8,031.56 crore in transactions.

Meanwhile, ‘Sahyog’ speeds up IT Act notices to intermediaries for content takedowns.

Public education is equally vital.

PM Modi’s October 2024 “Mann Ki Baat” warned of “digital arrests,” sparking Akashvani specials and a December 2024 caller-tune campaign in 13 languages.

From IPL tie-ups to Kumbh Mela 2025 drives and a 52-week DD News series starting July 2025, awareness permeates daily life.

Cinema halls, railways, and MyGov amplify their reach, targeting scams such as investment fraud and malware.

Insights: Toward A Resilient Cyber India

These measures signal a shift from siloed responses to an ecosystem-wide approach to resilience.

However, challenges persist: NCRB data show that cyber crimes increased by 24% in 2024, fueled by AI-generated deepfakes and crypto scams.

Success hinges on state adoption and private-sector buy-in. CFMC’s model shows promise in this regard.

Experts hail the commandos and Samanvaya as forward-looking, potentially slashing investigation times by 30%.

As India aims to reach 1 billion internet users by 2026, these schemes are not just reactive; they are foundational for building trust in Digital India.

For citizens, the message is clear: Report by 1930, stay vigilant, and leverage tools like NCRP.

With threats evolving, this coordinated push positions India as a global cyber sentinel.

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