Cybersecurity has become one of the strategic concerns for India’s national security.
With the increase of cyber-attacks (state and non-state sponsored) on national critical
information infrastructure, India has identified national critical sectors, including
defence, economic, communication, transportation, energy, health etc. to be secured
from any cyber incursion. Hence, six Indian government ministries and the apex
office of the prime minister have taken active responsibilities to protect and maintain
a healthy ecosystem of cyberspace. In light of these issues, this paper focuses on the
function and responsibility of these ministries in protecting India’s cyberspace. In the
recent decade or two, they have also undertaken a number of measures including the
development of new national cybersecurity policies, legislation, standards, institutions,
cooperations, and positions (such as national cybersecurity coordinator). This study
will only discuss government sectors, even if it is aware that the contribution of the
private sector cannot be completely disregarded in the subject of cybersecurity studies.
Therefore, the primary sources and official sources made available by the government
agencies will be referred as the majority of the study’s sources.