In News: With internet connections crossing 100 crore in 2025, India is witnessing a sharp rise in cyber threats such as ransomware, AI-enabled scams, phishing attacks and organised financial fraud.
About CERT-In
- Established: 2004
- Legal Basis: Section 70B, Information Technology Act, 2000
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)
Mandate
- Monitor, analyse and respond to cyber security incidents
- Issue early-warning alerts and advisories
- Coordinate with law-enforcement agencies, sectoral regulators and global CERTs
- Support capacity building and best practices in cyber security
Key Initiatives by CERT-In
1Cyber Swachhta Kendra (CSK)
- Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre
- Provides free tools to detect and remove malware and botnets
- Aims to improve cyber hygiene among users
2National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC)
- Scans cyberspace metadata to generate situational awareness
- Detects emerging cyber threats
- Enables real-time information sharing among agencies
3Sectoral & State CSIRTs
- Oversees specialised Computer Security Incident Response Teams such as:
- CSIRT-Fin (Financial Sector)
- CSIRT-Power (Power Sector)
- Supports creation of State-level CSIRTs for localised response
4Cyber Crisis Management Plan (CCMP)
- Strategic framework for government bodies
- Ensures coordinated response and recovery during major cyber incidents
5Security Assurance Framework
- Empanelled auditors conduct:
- Security audits
- Vulnerability assessments
- Covers government systems and critical information infrastructure
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
