New Delhi – Amidst an alarming rise in cyber threats across sectors, India on Tuesday launched the ‘Cyber Shikshit Bharat’ initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s cybersecurity ecosystem. The announcement was made at the international seminar Cyber Warfare 2025: Strategies and Challenges, hosted by cybersecurity firm Lisianthus Tech in the national capital.
Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO, said cyber attacks in the country have increased by nearly 300% between 2021 and 2024, with the banking and financial sectors facing increasingly complex threats. He highlighted that during the G20 Summit held in September 2023, the summit’s official website experienced over 1.6 million intrusion attempts every minute.
“The growing use of cyber tools not only to steal and disrupt, but also to manipulate and influence public opinion, is a matter of grave concern,” Kant said. “It requires a coordinated effort from defence, intelligence, diplomacy, industry, civil society, and private stakeholders.”
Cyber Shikshit Bharat: A National Vision for Digital Security
The Cyber Shikshit Bharat programme draws inspiration from the government’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Cyber Surakshit Bharat’ missions. The initiative aims to establish a Central Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence focusing on:
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AI-driven security architecture
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Digital risk management
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Hardware-based protection
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Global policy engagement on cybersecurity issues
The programme is intended to build a future-ready cybersecurity workforce and promote innovation in digital defence technologies.
BFSI Sector Faces the Brunt of Attacks
Kant noted that the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector has become a primary target of cybercriminals due to its high-value data and growing digital dependence. In 2024 alone, the average cost of a data breach in India touched $2.8 million, underscoring the urgent need for stronger digital defences.
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Call for Skilled Workforce and Stronger Regulations
Jayant Sinha, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, also addressed the gathering. He emphasized the urgent need for skilled cybersecurity professionals and the importance of implementing and enforcing robust cybersecurity regulations.
“Large corporations are investing in digital security, but small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and individual users still lack awareness,” Sinha said. “The CAG plays a key role in auditing cybersecurity practices across government and public sector entities.”
He added that cybersecurity audits now evaluate compliance with national standards, including guidelines from CERT-In and STQC.
‘No Boundaries in Cyber War’: Defence Adviser
Vinod G. Khandare, Principal Adviser to the Ministry of Defence and former Lieutenant General, said cyber defence is now integral to national security.
“Cyber war has no boundaries, no declarations, and often no visible enemies,” Khandare warned. “Every citizen with a mobile phone or computer is vulnerable. For a ‘Viksit Bharat’ to emerge, we must ensure a ‘Surakshit Bharat’.”
He emphasized the importance of public awareness and cross-sector coordination, calling cybersecurity the foundation of both economic strength and national resilience.
Cyber Warfare as a Geopolitical Weapon
Lisianthus Tech Chairman SK Verma called cyber warfare a “hybrid threat” involving not just technology but also geopolitical strategy.
“From critical infrastructure breaches to targeted state-sponsored operations, the cyber threat landscape is evolving faster than ever,” Verma said. “AI-powered security, advanced threat intelligence, and real-time monitoring are now essential components of cyber readiness.”
As India steps into a digital-first future, the launch of Cyber Shikshit Bharat marks a major push toward securing cyberspace through innovation, regulation, and skill-building—ensuring that every layer of society, from individuals to institutions, is digitally empowered and protected.