With the rapid digitization of services and increased internet penetration across India, cyber crimes and telecom-related frauds have seen a sharp rise. Recognizing the need for a coordinated and multi-layered approach to tackle these challenges, the Government of India has empowered both the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) with distinct but complementary responsibilities in safeguarding the digital ecosystem.
Cyber Crime Under the Ministry of Home Affairs
As per the Allocation of Business Rules, cyber crime-related matters are under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In a major initiative to strengthen the country’s law enforcement capabilities against cyber threats, MHA has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). This acts as a nodal framework providing strategic guidance, capacity building, and a national ecosystem to support Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in addressing the complexities of cyber crimes.
To facilitate public participation and empower citizens to report incidents, MHA launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) – https://cybercrime.gov.in. This portal allows individuals to report a wide range of cyber crimes including online financial frauds, cyberstalking, and more. The number of complaints lodged on NCRP has seen a significant rise in recent years – from 10.29 lakh in 2022, to 15.96 lakh in 2023, and a staggering 22.68 lakh in 2024, indicating both increased awareness and incidence of cyber-related offenses.
DoT’s Role in Preventing Telecom Misuse
While MHA leads on law enforcement, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plays a pivotal role in preventing the misuse of telecom infrastructure for cyber frauds. Leveraging technology to fight fraud, DoT has developed ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Big Data-based tool) to identify mobile connections fraudulently acquired under different names by the same individual. As a result, more than 82 lakh such connections have been disconnected after failing reverification – a testament to the efficacy of ASTR in weeding out fraudulent telecom users.
To ensure integrity in subscriber enrollment, DoT has instituted a robust Know Your Customer (KYC) framework. Guidelines now require telecom licensees to register their Point of Sale (PoS) agents through biometric verification and physical address checks. Additionally, an online SIM card supply chain management system is now in place, backed by strict penal provisions including termination of agreements and blacklisting of defaulting PoS across all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).
Enhancements in KYC and SIM Security
Furthering its efforts, the DoT has amended existing KYC norms to introduce a “business connection framework” that mandates KYC of every end-user, not just the business account holder. Moreover, recognizing the risks of SIM Swap frauds, DoT has implemented a strengthened KYC process for SIM replacement, adding another layer of protection against identity theft and financial fraud.
Conclusion
The collaborative efforts of MHA and DoT reflect a comprehensive strategy to curb cyber crimes and telecom frauds in India. With technological tools like ASTR, policy reforms in KYC, and citizen-centric initiatives like NCRP, the government is creating a safer digital environment. However, public awareness, timely reporting, and adherence to cybersecurity practices remain crucial for collective success in this ongoing battle.