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India is intensifying its efforts to tackle cybercrime with a series of technology-driven initiatives aimed at enhancing law enforcement coordination and effectiveness. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports a steady rise in cybercrime cases, with 50,035 registered in 2020, 52,974 in 2021, and 65,893 in 2022. This increase highlights the growing need for a robust response to cyber threats.
To address these challenges, the Central Government has launched several key initiatives to strengthen cybercrime prevention, detection, and response. The Ministry of Home Affairs has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to coordinate efforts across the country. This central body aims to address all forms of cybercrime in a unified manner, fostering better communication and collaboration among law enforcement agencies.
A significant development under the I4C is the formation of seven Joint Cyber Coordination Teams (JCCTs) in cybercrime hotspots, including Mewat, Jamtara, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Vishakhapatnam, and Guwahati. These teams, operational since 2023, enhance coordination among State/UT Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to address multi-jurisdictional cybercrime issues. Workshops held in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Vishakhapatnam, Lucknow, Ranchi, and Chandigarh have further strengthened these collaborative efforts.
The National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Investigation) in New Delhi is another crucial component of the I4C, providing early-stage forensic assistance to investigating officers. This laboratory has supported over 10,200 cyber forensic investigations, including mobile and memory forensics and call detail record (CDR) analysis.
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal has been launched to allow the public to report various cyber crimes, with a special focus on crimes against women and children. State and UT LEAs handle the incidents reported through this portal, converting them into FIRs and taking necessary actions.
Additionally, the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, also under I4C, facilitates immediate reporting of financial frauds, saving over ₹2,400 crore (approximately US$ 290 million) from more than 7.6 lakh (760,000) complaints. A toll-free helpline, 1930, provides support for lodging online cyber complaints.
To bolster capacity building, the CyTrain platform offers Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for police and judicial officers on cybercrime investigation and forensics. Over 96,288 police officers are registered, and more than 70,992 certificates have been issued through this platform.
The government has also blocked over 580,000 SIM cards and 108,000 IMEIs, enhancing the ability to tackle cyber crime effectively. Training in cyber hygiene has been provided to 6,800 officials from various government ministries and over 35,000 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets.
Under the Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) scheme, the Ministry of Home Affairs has allocated ₹131.60 crore (approximately US$ 16 million) to states and UTs for setting up cyber forensic laboratories, hiring cyber consultants, and training personnel. This scheme has led to the establishment of forensic-cum-training laboratories in 33 states and UTs, benefiting over 24,600 LEA personnel, judicial officers, and prosecutors.
The National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Evidence) in Hyderabad provides critical support in preserving and analysing cyber crime evidence, ensuring compliance with IT and Evidence Acts and reducing turnaround times for investigations.
To raise public awareness, the government uses various channels, including SMS, social media, radio campaigns, and collaboration with MyGov. Cyber Safety and Security Awareness weeks are organised with states and UTs, and educational materials such as handbooks for adolescents and students are published.
Through these comprehensive measures, India is demonstrating its commitment to combating cybercrime with a coordinated approach, leveraging technology, significant resources, and widespread public engagement to enhance its overall cybersecurity framework.
