Exclusive interview/ Amit Shah, Union home minister
Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his political journey at the age of 13, when he took part in the 1977 general election campaign by putting up posters for Maniben Patel, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh candidate and daughter of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A rare politician with nearly half a century of experience, he has led the robust approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in tackling India’s internal security challenges notching up key wins such as bringing left-wing extremism, once termed the biggest threat to internal security, to its knees; integrating northeast insurgent groups into the mainstream; overseeing the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir amid efforts to dismantle the terror ecosystem; and initiating reforms in the criminal justice system through three new laws—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
Shah, 60, is spearheading Prime Minister Modi’s “national security first” approach to establish a new pillar of internal security within the Union home ministry—India’s first cyber shield—to protect several families defrauded in cyber space, as rapid digitisation brings new vulnerabilities.
He is acutely aware that the common man is falling prey to cyber criminals each day. “One day, my wife pointed out that I was speaking Bhojpuri in a speech widely circulated on social media. I was amazed to see myself speaking languages I don’t know. The common man will not know what is real or fake, as technology is evolving rapidly. We are prepared to meet these challenges with the new cyber infrastructure being built for a safe digital India,” says Shah, in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, referring to the menace of deepfake videos.
Shah’s grasp of internal security has led him to initiate a unified national response connecting citizens, law enforcement agencies and experts under a single framework. At the core of this strategy is a mechanism to help states track cyber fraud and bring relief to the common man. He recognises that a key concern for the common man today is defeating cyber fraudsters and adversaries while embracing technology and innovation. “From UPI transactions and Aadhaar-linked services to online education and health care, the digital economy now touches every aspect of Indian life,” he says.
Shah acknowledges that many cyber crimes have transnational dimensions. He is working actively with global law enforcement agencies, cyber security organisations and intelligence networks to trace the origins of attacks and impose consequences. The objective is deterrence—ensuring that India is no longer seen as an easy or anonymous target. “We are reinforcing national sovereignty in the virtual world,” says Shah, ensuring that cyber crime is addressed not merely as a technical or policing issue, but as a direct threat to India’s internal and economic security.
As criminals and hostile countries exploit cyber space to defraud citizens, steal intellectual property, compromise networks and endanger critical infrastructure, the challenges are immense—but the home minister remains confident. “We are building the framework for a safer, more resilient and truly sovereign digital future,” he says. Excerpts from the interview:
Plan of action: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Q You have often spoken about a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the challenge of cyber crime. Could you please explain the new strategy devised under your guidance?
A Before 2014, our strategies were scattered and myopic. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, our strategy to take on cyber crime has been redesigned to make for a comprehensive and integrated cyber shield. We are now not only defending but also thinking ahead of criminals and busting their conspiracies with precision.
This strategy is based on five pillars. The first pillar is about equipping our state forces and agencies with cutting-edge technological infrastructure. Regardless of what technology cyber criminals use, they find us outfitted to respond effectively. The second pillar is cooperation among Central and state agencies on the domestic front and also with the global agencies. We all know that cyber crime has no political boundaries; therefore, seamless synergy under the agenda of a common battle among agencies allows us, with the winning edge, to deal body blows to both domestic and international crime syndicates.
The third pillar of this strategy is an aware citizenry. When people are aware, then cyber criminals cannot go too far. We have undertaken nationwide campaigns to create public awareness. People can call the cyber helpline at 1930 or lodge a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. The fourth pillar is the preparedness of our agencies to tackle the menace with research and development initiatives. The fifth pillar is a legal framework that empowers our investigating agencies with up-to-date provisions for prosecuting new-age crime.
All systems go: Amit Shah at the first Foundation Day celebrations of I4c on september 10, 2024.
Q The world has witnessed an all-pervasive threat to cyber security. You have reiterated the need to take a coordinated approach to tackle this challenge. How is the home ministry building more cooperation?
A Cyber security threats are a global menace. Therefore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has envisioned and fostered adequate collaborations that are necessary to thwart them. Today Bharat is in active collaboration with organisations like Interpol, G7, the UN and BRICS. We have also signed cyber security agreements with many countries, including America, Australia and Germany. Similarly, collaborations with the UN, SCO and BRICS have been fostered, bolstering our cyber security. Several rounds of India-US joint meetings have been held to promote new strategies and cooperation.
CBI and Interpol are working together on cross-border cyber crime. Presently, CBI is also a part of the G7’s 24x7 network, which is ensuring the safe exchange of data. On January 17, 2025, an MoU was signed between the USA’s C3 (Cyber Crimes Centre) and India’s I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre). The I4C is also cooperating with the law enforcement agencies of other countries through the Bharatpol portal and G8 24x7 network. Joint action plans are being developed on cyber fraud, cyber terrorism and data security. It is a platform that facilitates swift and seamless coordination between Indian and foreign agencies.
Q How does I4C ensure enforcement of laws and timely action?
A Pursuing Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s vision for a cyber-secure nation, we carried out a six-month-long brainstorming session with the officials to build the I4C, a holistic mechanism to initiate nationwide coordination to battle cyber crime. It serves as a nodal agency for coordinating all cyber-crime-related matters between law enforcement agencies, states, Union territories and other stakeholders. It provides a centralised platform for complaints through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. It also facilitates capacity building, training, research & innovation and awareness creation.
After closely studying the nature of cyber crimes, we created seven verticals. The National Cybercrime Threat Analytical Unit is the vertical of the I4C that does not exist in the public eye, but it analyses all kinds of cyber crime threats that may occur, whether it is hacking, cryptocurrency, mule accounts or theft from anyone’s bank account. Another vertical is the cyber crime reporting portal, which registers complaints on cyber crimes and takes prompt action. The third vertical is the National Cybercrime Forensic Laboratory (NCFL). The national cyber crime training centre provides nationwide training to our agencies. On the other hand, the joint cyber crime investigation task force is set up to ensure operational cooperation in parallel investigations across states and Union territories. The cyber crime ecosystem management unit is a conglomerate of all concerned agencies like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Stock Exchange and more than 1,500 banks. The cyber crime research and innovation centre conducts research on the new developments and techniques in cyber crime prevention. For the first time in India, a nationwide, organised offensive strategy against cyber crime was launched in 2020.
Ready and steady: Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre, New Delhi | Sanjay Ahlawat
Q What steps are being taken to secure women and children from the menace of cyber crime?
A The security of women and children is one of the priorities of the Modi government. We have taken an all-pervasive approach to achieve it. One of the major steps to create a secure environment for women is creating a national-level database of sexual offenders. It is a searchable registry of 20.37 lakh offenders involved in rape, molestation, stalking, child abuse, etc. It also includes the name, address, photograph and fingerprint details of offenders. This list gives easy access to track down and identify offenders, creating a security shield for women.
The Rs2,840 crore Safe City project is being implemented in eight cities to develop a safe environment for women, children and the elderly in public spaces. To ensure justice to victims of sexual offences, the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) has been launched. It tracks police investigations every two months. There has been a surge in the ITSSO compliance rate in the last seven years, from 43 per cent in 2018 to 57 per cent in 2025, which is a clear demonstration of its efficacy. Through the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, as many as 70 lakh cyber tipline reports have been shared with concerned states and Union territories.
To prevent women from falling into the trap of international fraud, the National Database of Offenders of Foreign Origin (NDOFO) raises awareness about issues like marital disputes, visa fraud, illegal immigration, Nigerian lottery scams and other cyber crimes.
Through the Cyber Dost initiative, we are constantly promoting cyber crime awareness with cyber security tips. Intensifying cyber security for women, we aim to create 5,000 cyber commandos in the next five years, who will make our cyber space safer for women through cyber patrolling. To accelerate awareness, the first Wednesday of every month is celebrated as Cyber Awareness Day.
Command and control: Amit Shah reviews the functioning of the I4c, New Delhi.
Q Due to the sharp rise in the number of internet users, concerns about safety of citizens have moved into the digital domain. How big is the challenge?
A Bharat has widened its bandwidth substantially to tackle cyber crimes in the last five years. The Cyber Crime Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in), launched in January 2020, has registered 56 lakh complaints and 1.53 lakh FIRs. Today you can block an amount in the bank in just 60 seconds by calling the helpline number 1930 because there are 419 banks and financial intermediaries connected to it. Our agencies have recovered Rs4,725 crore belonging to 14.47 lakh people. Under the 1930 helpline, the complainant is responded to in the language of the state in which the call originates.
We are training more than one lakh police officers on a “Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform called ‘CyTrain’.” Approximately 81,000 certificates have been issued till now. We are creating cyber crime forensic training labs in 33 states and Union territories.
As many as 827 apps and 3,266 website links were blocked on I4C’s recommendation. We have also completed the implementation of the Modernisation of Police Forces Scheme. The National Cyber Forensic Laboratory at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) Hyderabad, has been dedicated to the nation. Similarly, seven JCCTs (Joint Cyber crime Coordination Teams) have been appointed for cyber crime hotspots. Cyber crime forensic training labs are there in 33 states and Union territories.
Q What is the progress in bringing major online service providers and law enforcement agencies on a common platform in the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre?
A This unit has set new milestones in cyber crime mitigation through special action on high-value fraud cases and against mule accounts. Another major achievement of this unit is the reduction in time taken in taking action. It has also thwarted numerous attempts at cyber fraud by launching a series of actions on hotspots like mule accounts, cheque withdrawals and ATM hotspots.
Q How do we ensure accountability of banks and the telecom industry?
A We are in the process of developing an AI software for mule accounts. It is being done in coordination with the RBI, which will automatically detect mule accounts and enable action against them. This will prevent cyber crimes to a great extent. In it, representatives of major banks, financial intermediaries, payment aggregators, IT intermediaries and law enforcement agencies of states/Union territories are working together for prompt action and seamless coordination to tackle cyber crimes.
Q Fraudulent mobile numbers are prevalent. How do we plug such gaps?
A It is indeed a serious threat, and we have blocked a huge number of mobiles and IMEI numbers through the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre.
Q Could you please elaborate on the role played by the NCIIPC (National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre) in tackling cyber attacks on critical infrastructure?
A Under the leadership of Modi ji, the NCIIPC has been developed as a nodal agency of the country. Its scope is ensuring the protection of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) from cyber attacks, cyber terrorism, cyber warfare, etc., formulating security strategies and establishing coordination among various government departments and organisations.
Its responsibilities are identifying CII, developing security standards and policies for them, organising training and awareness programmes, enhancing international cooperation and issuing alerts and advisories in collaboration with organisations like CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team). Apart from that, it encourages research and innovation and development methodologies for security audits and assessments.
Q You spoke about preparing around 5,000 cyber commandos in five years.
A The goal is to establish a special branch of trained cyber commandos to tackle cyber security threats across the country. As of now, 247 candidates have completed phase-1 training from institutions like NFSU (National Forensic Sciences University), RRU (Rashtriya Raksha University) Gandhinagar, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras and IIIT Kottayam.
We have set a target to train 406 commandos by the end of 2025. After evaluation by NFSU, 1,038 candidates have been declared eligible for training. We are also developing the Cyber Commando Platform, which is an integrated operating platform to serve as the central hub for task allocation, communication and coordination.
Q What are the key cyber security threats faced by the country?
A There are two dimensions to it. On a broader scale, the major threat from cyber crime is to our data and our critical infrastructure. On an individual level, they boil down to key cyber crime threats such as defrauding people with fake promises of part-time jobs and instant loans. Investment scams, sextortion and digital arrests are also major threats. Similarly, there are also inputs about cyber crimes being committed by making people download fake mobile apps by impersonating a government official, bank employee, telecom employee or official of the electricity department or by adding people to WhatsApp groups. However, we are well-equipped to tackle these challenges with the necessary commandos, human and technological infrastructure.
Q You have also been a victim of deepfake scam. Do you think a specific approach is needed to curb this menace?
A We are constantly studying AI and its misuse. If needed, changes in the existing laws are to be made. But we have to be patient in doing so because AI is still evolving and evolving very fast. What we know today may become obsolete tomorrow. It requires much attention, and all its aspects are to be studied before taking any step. Hasty decisions may end up aiding the criminals.
Q What should citizens do in case of cyber crimes?
A The first step should be calling 1930 or reporting at www.cybercrime.gov.in. They should inform the nearest cyber police station. In cases of financial fraud, inform the bank first and then report. In cases of hacking of social media accounts, report it to the complaint department of the platform and then call 1930.
Q One of the most prevalent cyber threats is digital arrests. However, awareness plays a crucial role in preventing such crimes. How has the awareness drive carried out by the government panned out?
A Awareness is certainly the key to preventing such crimes. Modi ji spoke about digital arrests in Mann ki Baat and created awareness among people. We have worked extensively on it. Modi ji gave the mantra of ‘Stop, Think and Take Action’, and a special programme was broadcast on radio. Even the I4C streamed various videos on cyber crime awareness in cinema halls across the nation. Our agencies are well equipped to track down such criminals by using AI such as face recognition apps.
Q Cryptocurrency has been a major threat to both India’s security and economy. Can you explain the strategy to tackle it?
A Under the vision of Modi ji to secure our economy and our cyber space, we have launched many initiatives against crypto. As many as 6,000 police personnel have been trained in cryptocurrency investigation by March 2025. We are now ready with the draft proposal for establishing a Cryptocurrency Centre of Excellence under I4C. Similarly, we have procured forensic analysis tools for cryptocurrency investigation. A web page and complete grievance redressal system are ready for registration of complaints related to Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. The SOP for search and seizure of VDAs is now ready and will be presented soon. A lab with 20 computers and a capacity of 40 people is being established in I4C for cryptocurrency training.
Q Under the criminal laws, there are dedicated provisions for tackling offences including electronic communication and digital activities. Do you think state police forces are equipped to handle such complaints?
A The three new laws will prove to be a game-changer in the arena of defence against cyber crime because they provide for trying habitual offenders under the sections meant for organised crime. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita defines organised crimes in such a manner that even cyber crimes occurring under various geographies or jurisdictions and perpetrated by habitual offenders can be covered under it, enabling strict action against organised cyber criminals. The new laws keep our criminal justice system up-to-date by including provisions to automatically incorporate all technological advancements over the next 100 years. Whether it is the crime scene investigation or trial, the use of technology is ubiquitous.
There are provisions for strict penalties for hacking, data theft, personal information theft, cyber bullying, phishing and other online frauds. Offenders can face up to 10 years of imprisonment and hefty fines. Now all state police forces are being trained and equipped to comply with these mandatory changes.
Q Cyber forensic investigations and use of technology can bolster the capacity of state police forces. How will you ensure that capacity building goes hand in hand with digital revolution in the country?
A The Modi government has made all-out efforts to build capacity nationwide to tackle the new age challenge. The National Cyber Crime Training Centre (NCTC) provides basic and advanced hands-on training to police officers and CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) personnel in the fields of digital forensics and cyber crime investigation. Apart from the police, the judiciary is also being trained on cyber crimes, cyber laws and emerging technologies. Over two lakh employees from various ministries and departments, teachers and students, senior citizens and volunteers from NCC, NSS and NYKS (Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan) have been provided training.
Q The Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) has been established to make the justice delivery system faster and more effective. Use of technology is key to bringing relief to the common man. Where are we today?
A Under the CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems), almost every police station in India has been connected. It holds 34 crore records related to crime and criminals—making it one of the largest crime databases.
The e-Court, which is a system that brings 22,000 courts online, helps courts manage cases, schedules, records and judgments digitally, improving transparency and efficiency. Similarly, the e-Prisons, a digital management system for prisons, stores information about over 2 crore prisoners. This system is running in 1,361 jails across India, making prisoner management easier for authorities. The e-Prosecution is a digital platform for managing court prosecution records. It holds 1.93 crore case records. It is currently used in 751 prosecution districts across all 36 states and Union territories. Prosecution records include FIRs, draft chargesheets, orders & judgments and cause lists. The NAFIS (National Automated Fingerprint Identification System) is a nationwide digital fingerprint database. It has 1.13 crore fingerprint records. So far, 7,500 chance prints have been matched trough NAFIS since its launch in August 2022 and helped in identifying criminals. The i-MoT (Integrated Minitoring of Terrorism), which is a special tool to track cases under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), holds 24,000 records related to terrorism and unlawful activities. The NIDAAN (National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-offenders) portal, a database that tracks narcotics offenders, currently has data on over 8.26 lakh offenders. The Cri-MAC (Crime Multi Agency Centre), a national alert system that shares crime-related information between different agencies, has generated 21,20,437 alerts so far to quickly track and act on criminal activities.
The e-Forensics is a digital forensic database. It contains over 40 lakh forensic records, including evidence, reports and test results—used to support criminal investigations. It receives requests from police for the forensic examinations of samples and maintains records of reports generated on these forensic examinations by Central, state and regional forensic science laboratories.
Q After the completion of the ICJS, the home ministry has moved ahead with the implementation of ICJS-2. What are the new additions in the second phase?
A On February 21, 2022, ICJS-2 was approved with a focus on data exchange, single-point data entry and secure online paperless transactions. Modi ji has envisioned a cyber space secured by the whole-of-government approach. Under this system, once a case is registered in a police station, it will provide information to all the concerned wings. For example, if a case is registered against a drug dealer in a police station, it will also inform the NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau) immediately. This will make way for seamless coordination among agencies.
Phase 2 will be made available through a dedicated and secure cloud-based infrastructure with high-speed connectivity. Under this project, several steps are being taken to identify cyber crime suspects. In September 2024, a suspect registry was launched in collaboration with banks and financial institutions to identify cyber criminals. So far, 47 banks and financial institutions have joined the initiative, and over 8.64 lakh suspect data entries have been recorded. Furthermore, 21.54 lakh mule accounts have been shared with institutions, which has helped banks decline transactions worth Rs3,191 crore across the country. The Samanvaya portal assists coordination in interstate cyber crime investigations, intelligence sharing and providing technical-legal support by law enforcement agencies. On the other hand, the Sahayog portal automates the process of issuing notices to intermediaries by states and Union territories.
Q What is the role of NATGRID (National Intelligence Grid)? How many agencies are going to share information and how many are using it?
A NATGRID is a robust technological platform aimed at combating terrorism and enhancing national security. To ensure data security and privacy, NATGRID encrypts information and provides access to authorised users as per their mandate. A standard operating procedure has been issued for operations on NATGRID. It enables timely access to information, thereby enhancing the efficiency of law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Currently, NATGRID is being used by 11 authorised Central agencies and all 36 state and police forces. The process to expand its reach to the district level is underway.
Q Is there a need for cyber patrolling?
A As I have told you, we have set the goal to establish a special branch of trained cyber commandos to tackle cyber security threats across the country. Cyber patrolling by them will make cyber space even safer.
Q Indian diaspora is falling victim to cyber crimes. If the victim is an Indian national and money trail is in India, can Indian authorities register case and take action?
A If a person of Indian origin is an Indian citizen, and the cyber fraud occurred in India with the money trail also within India, then the complaint must be registered on the portal through someone located in India. After that, appropriate action can be taken.
Q Are we in the process of setting up a centralised Network Operating Centre for real-time monitoring of cyber hygiene of cyber assets in the Central government?
A The ministry of electronics and information technology is working on establishing a centralised Security Operation Centre (SOC) through NIC (National Informatics Centre).
Q Under the new criminal laws, there are dedicated provisions for tackling offences, including electronic communication and digital activities. Have they helped in tackling cyber crimes?
A The provisions of the BNSS are cutting-edge in nature. This is the reason it is highly efficient in tackling new-age crimes like cyber crime. We have made investigation and conviction faster and easier by making electronic evidence admissible in the court through the BNSS. Voice logs and digital voicemails have been given the same legal acceptability as documents, enabling faster and more authentic presentation of evidence in courts. We have made audio-video recording, videography of forensic evidence and digital recording mandatory during police interrogations. This has increased transparency and accountability in investigations.
The e-FIR introduced by BNSS offers a revolutionary method for reporting crimes against women, enabling prompt reporting of sensitive crimes. Now, everything from FIRs to case diaries, charge sheets and judgments will be fully digitised. All police stations and courts will maintain a register containing e-mail addresses, phone numbers or other such contact details.
Q Has the government developed a procedure to return the money to cyber fraud victims after the money is recovered from criminals?
A Through the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), money seized is returned to the victim following due legal process under BNSS 2023. Agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can seize properties of accused persons in cyber crime-related cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Recently, the ED seized properties worth Rs20.69 crore connected to cyber crime. So far, Rs4,725 crore has been recovered for 14.47 lakh people.
Q The NCFL has been set up in Delhi under I4C. Will it assist states?
A The National Cybercrime Forensic Laboratory is mandated to assist states and Union territories in cyber forensic investigations. It provides technical support and forensic analysis to law enforcement agencies across India, helping them address cyber crime challenges and enhance their investigative capabilities. It organises training courses for law enforcement agencies under states, Union territories and Central investigation agencies. If any state requests training for its agencies, they are provided with regular training. In the Basic Course provided by the NCFL, around 1,215 LEAs have been trained, and in the advanced course, around 440 LEAs have been trained till March 31, 2025. The trainees belong to all the states and Union territories. As of March 31, NCFL has conducted cyber forensic examinations of approximately 11,974 devices to assist the LEAs.
Q Apart from government agencies, private players like social media platforms, banks and internet service providers play a key role in cyber security which are sometimes located in foreign countries. How does the government ensure coordination in such matters?
A Under the Indian laws, any social media intermediary operating in India is bound to provide relevant data to the law enforcement agencies of India. Apart from this, I4C is also cooperating with the law enforcement agencies of foreign countries through the Bharatpol portal and G8 24x7 network. India’s leadership of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is central to our strategy for combating transnational cyber crimes, particularly financial fraud and darknet markets.