Cybercrime in India has seen a significant surge in recent years, reflecting the challenges posed by rapid digitalization. To address the rising cyber threats, many Government of India initiatives to control cybercrime have been launched to help the Indian citizens.
Increase in Cybercrime Cases:
- 2022: According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 65,893 cybercrime cases were registered, marking a 24.4% increase from 52,974 cases in 2021. The crime rate under this category rose from 3.9 in 2021 to 4.8 in 2022.
- 2023: The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) received approximately 1.56 million complaints, a 61% rise from 966,000 in 2022. This translates to a cybercrime rate of 129 per lakh population, with Delhi (755), Haryana (381), and Telangana (261) reporting the highest rates.
Financial Impact:
Between 2020 and 2024, cyber fraudsters defrauded individuals of approximately ₹33,165 crore (about $4 billion), with ₹22,812 crore lost in 2024 alone.
Predominant Cybercrime Motives:
In 2022, fraud constituted 64.8% of cybercrime cases, followed by extortion (5.5%) and sexual exploitation (5.2%).
Regional Distribution:
Telangana reported the highest number of cybercrime cases in 2022 with 15,297 incidents, followed by Karnataka (12,556) and Uttar Pradesh (10,117).
Government of India initiatives to control cybercrime:
- Blocking Malicious Entities: Over 320,000 SIM cards and 49,000 IMEIs have been blocked based on police reports.
- Financial Safeguards: Approximately ₹1,200 crore has been saved through interventions in over 470,000 complaints.
- Helpline: A toll-free helpline number, ‘1930’, has been operationalized to assist in lodging online cyber complaints.
Also, Government of India has implemented several national bodies and campaigns to control cybercrime and enhance cybersecurity across the nation. Key measures include:
1. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Established by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the I4C serves as a comprehensive framework to tackle cybercrime in a coordinated manner. It focuses on improving collaboration among various law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to address cyber threats effectively.
2. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: This portal enables citizens to report cybercrimes online, providing a user-friendly platform for lodging complaints related to offenses such as hacking, identity theft, online fraud, and cyberbullying. It emphasizes addressing cybercrimes against women and children.
3. Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre): Launched as part of the Digital India initiative, this center focuses on detecting and removing malicious software and botnets from computers and devices. It offers free tools for malware analysis to help users secure their systems.
4. Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas: To raise awareness about cyber hygiene and safety, technical institutions across India observe “Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas” on the first Wednesday of every month. Activities include sessions on cybercrime prevention, safe use of social networks, and electronic payment safeguards.
5. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): CERT-In is the national nodal agency responsible for responding to cybersecurity incidents. It provides alerts and advisories on the latest cyber threats and vulnerabilities, helping organizations and individuals protect their information systems.
6. Public Awareness Campaigns: The government has initiated campaigns to educate the public about cybersecurity best practices. These efforts aim to enhance cyber literacy and encourage safe online behaviors among citizens.
These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to creating a secure digital environment and addressing the challenges posed by cyber threats.
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