Sensitive ICAR-ASRB Data Goes Missing — Crisis Deepens
A massive data loss has hit the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), with core records — including thousands of recruitment files, research projects, scientists’ dossiers, internal communications, and job applications — deleted from both the main server in Delhi and the backup server in Hyderabad.
The breach was first detected in April 2025, when the primary server reportedly suffered a hack. Within days, the backup system at the Hyderabad-based disaster recovery centre was also wiped clean. Despite the gravity of the incident, no First Information Report (FIR) has been filed so far — a fact that has raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
Experts Allege “Deliberate Deletion,” Demand Independent Probe
Former ICAR governing-body member and noted animal-genetics scientist Venugopal Badarwada, who first raised the alarm, argues the data loss is not the result of a mere cyber-attack or technical failure, but a planned act of deletion designed to erase evidence — possibly tied to irregularities in recruitment.
Badarwada has written to the Prime Minister, urging the dissolution of ASRB and the establishment of a transparent, secure recruitment system under the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). He points out how scientists’ shortlists, interview records, evaluation notes, and project dossiers have vanished — effectively erasing institutional memory and accountability.
Though a six-member internal committee was constituted in July — headed by a Crop-Sciences expert — no external IT or cyber-security specialist was included. Critics say this undermines the credibility of the investigation and raises doubts about whether it was merely a cover-up.
What’s at Stake: Research, Recruitment and Institutional Trust
The missing data affects not only recruitment records but also critical research project documents, internal communications, and email archives maintained by ICAR and its associated institutes, like the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) and National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM).
Scientists from centres across Lucknow, Karnal, Hyderabad, Pune and Delhi have reported repeated technical glitches, but nothing prepared them for the complete erasure of critical data. The breach threatens to disrupt upcoming research projects, recruitment cycles, and overall agricultural governance in India — potentially slowing innovation and undermining meritocracy.
Officials, including ICAR Director General M. L. Jat, have confirmed the data loss and acknowledged attempts at recovery, but say the investigation is ongoing. As of now, no FIR has been filed, and no external cyber audit has been initiated.
