Last Updated:April 07, 2025, 19:24 IST

Trained By IIT Kanpur and MHA’s I4C, the commandos from state and police forces will now return to their home states, where they are expected to lead cyber investigation teams, guide technical units, and train local personnel

The 36 officers completed a six-month residential programme at IIT Kanpur’s Noida Outreach Centre.

Trained under a pioneering programme by IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub and the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), the country’s first batch of cyber commandos is ready to take on digital criminals.

These elite officers, drawn from various state and central police forces, have undergone intense training in cyber forensics, ethical hacking, and threat intelligence.

Their mission: To dismantle cybercrime networks and protect citizens in an increasingly digital nation.

Selected from state and central police forces, the 36 officers completed a six-month residential programme at IIT Kanpur’s Noida Outreach Centre. Their training covered advanced cyber defence, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and emerging technologies like blockchain, IoT security, and hardware vulnerabilities.

THE CHALLENGES

India is experiencing a surge in cyber threats. From phishing scams and ransomware to cryptocurrency fraud and deepfake-driven misinformation, the range and complexity of digital crime is expanding. Traditional police forces often lack the tools to respond swiftly and effectively.

“The Cyber Commando Training Program is not just about teaching skills – it’s about instilling a mission,” said Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur. He said these officers will help protect India’s digital assets.

Rajesh Kumar, CEO of I4C, said, “Cybercrime evolves faster than conventional policing can respond. These cyber commandos are our strategic answer.”

The course also included real-world exposure through expert sessions and field visits to institutions like Tata Advanced Systems, CERT-In, and CSIRT Power. Officers received international certifications from EC-Council, including CEH, CTIA, and CHFI.

“Cybercrime doesn’t respect boundaries,” said Ashutosh Bahuguna, Scientist, CERT-In. “This initiative builds a nationwide defence infrastructure that’s smart, scalable and responsive,” he added.

FOCUS ON UTTAR PRADESH: A CYBERCRIME HOTSPOT

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, has emerged as a major cybercrime hotspot. In 2023 alone, the state recorded over 12,000 cases ranging from online fraud and sextortion to social media impersonation.

“In UP, cybercrime affects all — from students to senior citizens,” said Dr GK Goswami, IPS, Director, UP State Institute of Forensic Science. He said the deployment of trained cyber commandos will help raise the quality of investigations and convictions.

Tilotamma Varma, IPS, Director General (Training), Lucknow, said, “This programme marks a much-needed step in modernising our law enforcement capabilities.”

The commandos will now return to their home states, where they are expected to lead cyber investigation teams, guide technical units, and train local personnel – acting as force multipliers within their departments.

LAYING GROUNDWORK FOR CYBER-RESILIENT NATION

The cyber commando initiative is designed not as a one off, but as the foundation of a scalable national programme. More batches are expected in the coming years as IIT Kanpur and I4C expand the initiative to build long-term cyber policing capabilities.

“These commandos are not just responders. They are predictors and preventers,” said Col Arvind Kumar, Director of the National Cyber Terrorism Coordination unit at I4C. He said this is a critical step toward proactive digital policing.