Cybercrime and Digital Extortion
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
This concept is vital for understanding the evolving nature of crime in the digital age and its implications for internal security, law enforcement, and public order. It highlights the need for robust legal frameworks and investigative capabilities to combat tech-enabled criminal activities.
Cybercrime refers to criminal activities carried out using computers or the internet, encompassing a wide range of offenses from data theft and fraud to digital extortion. Digital extortion, a specific form of cybercrime, involves demanding money or other valuables by threatening to harm a victim's reputation, data, or access to digital assets, often leveraging technological vulnerabilities.
Facts & tables
- Modus Operandi
- Miscreants used mobile apps to remotely disable e-rickshaws, then demanded money from drivers to reactivate the vehicles.
- Law Enforcement Action
- Police in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, arrested individuals involved in such extortion rackets.
- Legal Provisions
- Such acts are punishable under Indian Penal Code (IPC) / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections for criminal mischief.
- Emerging Threat
- Highlights a new form of tech-enabled crime leveraging vulnerabilities in connected devices.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Cybercrime |
| Conceptual area | Internal Security |
| Conceptual area | Law Enforcement |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Police (State Police Forces) | Implements |
| Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) | Regulates |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Apps used for remote vehicle disabling.
- Extortion of e-rickshaw drivers for reactivation.
- Police action against perpetrators.
- Punishable under criminal mischief sections (IPC/BNS).
- Highlights new forms of tech-enabled crime.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2024 | Definition-based questions, Terminology-based question |
| 2023 | Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2020 | Terminology-based question, Factual recall |
Timeline
-
Cybercrime
Conceptual area
-
Internal Security
Conceptual area
-
Law Enforcement
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2020
Terminology-based question, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2024
Definition-based questions, Terminology-based question
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Centre orders blocking of battery management apps used to turn off e-rickshaws
The incident of e-rickshaw disabling for extortion demonstrates a new form of cybercrime leveraging technological vulnerabilities, posing challenges for law enforcement and highlighting the need for updated legal provisions and public awareness.
See also
Past papers
2020–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
Centre orders blocking of battery management apps used to turn off e-rickshaws
The incident of e-rickshaw disabling for extortion demonstrates a new form of cybercrime leveraging technological vulnerabilities, posing challenges for law enforcement and highlighting the need for updated legal provisions and public awareness.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
Some rare earth elements are used in the manufacture of flat television screens and computer monitors.
Statement II:
Some rare earth elements have phosphorescent properties.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
✅ Statement I: Correct
Rare earth elements like europium, terbium, and yttrium are essential in flat TV screens and monitors due to their role in producing vibrant colors and enhancing display quality. ✅ Statement II: Correct
These elements exhibit phosphorescence—absorbing energy and slowly emitting light—which is key to their use in color reproduction and brightness in displays. Relationship:
Statement II explains why rare earth elements are crucial in displays, confirming the reason behind Statement I. Therefore, both statements are correct and related.
In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of
In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" (PKI) is used in the context of digital security infrastructure. PKI is a system that facilitates secure electronic communication and transactions by using digital certificates, certificate authorities, and other related components. It plays a vital role in ensuring the authenticity, confidentiality, and integrity of data exchanged online.
Which one of the following words/phrases is most appropriately used to denote “an interoperable network of 3D virtual worlds that can be accessed simultaneously by millions of users, who can exert property rights over virtual items"?
Metaverse: This term accurately describes a network of interconnected, persistent 3D virtual spaces. Key characteristics of the metaverse often include: * Interoperability: Users can move between different virtual worlds seamlessly. * User-Generated Content: Users can create, own, and trade virtual assets. * Social Interaction: The metaverse facilitates social experiences and interactions. _Let's look at why the other options are incorrect:_ * Big data analytics: This involves analyzing large and complex datasets to uncover patterns and insights. It's not directly related to virtual worlds. * Cryptography: This focuses on secure communication and data protection techniques. While relevant to security within a metaverse, it doesn't define the concept itself. * Virtual matrix: This term is not commonly used to describe the concept outlined in the question. The term 'matrix' is often associated with a grid-like structure or a virtual reality environment, but not the broader interconnected network the question describes.
Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct ?
1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre.
2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm.
3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Drones typically communicate with ground command centres using standard Radio Frequency (RF) bands (e.g., UHF, S-band, L-band) or Satellite Communications (SATCOM) to ensure reliable, long-range connectivity. The Terahertz (THz) band is an emerging, highly experimental frequency envisioned for future 6G networks. Because THz waves suffer from severe atmospheric attenuation and have a very short range, they are currently being researched for high-speed inter-drone (drone-to-drone) communication at close proximity, not for long-range links to a command centre. Statement 2 is Correct: The defining characteristic of a drone swarm is decentralized collective intelligence. Individual drones actively communicate with one another (often via ad-hoc mesh networks) to coordinate formations, share sensor data, avoid collisions, and adapt to real-time environmental changes without relying on a central controller. Statement 3 is Correct: Electronic Warfare (EW) is a primary defense against drone swarms. GPS Spoofing is a standard and commonly used countermeasure. It involves broadcasting fake satellite signals to deceive the drones' navigation systems, forcing them off course, causing mid-air collisions, or triggering forced landings. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct ?
1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India.
2. It is India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Correct: DHRUV64 is the third chip to be fabricated under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme. The first chip was THEJAS32 and the second was THEJAS64. The DIR-V programme aims to create a complete portfolio of future-ready, indigenous RISC-V-based microprocessors to reduce India's dependence on imported chips and foreign intellectual property. Statement 2 is Correct: Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), DHRUV64 is officially recognized as India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor. It is built on the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture, which eliminates proprietary licensing fees and ensures technological sovereignty. Therefore, both statements are correct.
Show 3 more PYQs
Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct?
1. Tokenization is the process of turning real world assets into digital tokens using blockchain technology.
2. Tokenization of real world assets offers 24x7 access, promoting financial inclusion.
3. Tokenization of real world assets will allow the access to high growth investment opportunities for individuals in India.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Correct: Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization is the process of converting the ownership rights of physical or traditional financial assets (such as real estate, gold, commodities, or bonds) into digital tokens on a distributed ledger or blockchain. Each token represents a proportional share or claim on the underlying asset. Statement 2 is Correct: Unlike traditional financial markets and real estate registries that have fixed operating hours, geographic limitations, and settlement delays, blockchain-based tokenized assets can be traded globally, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with near-instant settlement. Additionally, tokenization allows high-value, traditionally illiquid assets to be divided into smaller, affordable fractions. This lowers the barrier to entry, enabling retail investors and underserved populations to participate in wealth-building markets, thereby directly promoting financial inclusion. Statement 3 is Correct: In the Indian context, RWA tokenization democratizes access to high-growth, capital-intensive sectors (like commercial real estate, agricultural land, and infrastructure projects). Regulatory bodies like the IFSCA (in GIFT City) have already begun approving tokenization platforms under regulatory sandboxes to unlock these previously inaccessible investment opportunities for everyday Indian retail investors. Therefore, all three statements are correct, making the correct option A.
Consider the following actions:
1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously
2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive
3. Detection of the tilt of the smartphone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode
In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required?
* Car Crash Detection and Airbag Deployment: Modern cars use accelerometers as part of a complex system to detect rapid deceleration that can indicate a crash. The accelerometer data, along with other sensors, triggers the airbag deployment almost instantaneously. * Laptop Fall Detection and Hard Drive Shut Off: Some laptops use accelerometers to detect a sudden fall or impact. This can trigger the hard drive heads to retract or park, protecting the drive from potential damage. * Smartphone Tilt Detection and Display Rotation: Accelerometers are widely used in smartphones to detect orientation changes (tilt). This allows the device to automatically switch the display between portrait and landscape mode depending on how you hold the phone. * In all these scenarios, the accelerometer detects changes in acceleration or tilt, which is then used by the system to perform the specific action. Therefore, all three statements are correct.
Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the Government of India :
I. The Sagarmala Programme seeks to achieve port-led economic growth through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure.
II. The success of the Sagarmala Programme is reflected in significant growth in coastal and inland waterway shipping, along with improved global port rankings.
III. Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions.
Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ?
1. Statement II validates the effectiveness of the strategies envisioned in statement I.
2. Statement III extends the objectives of statement I by embedding them into a future-oriented innovation framework.
3. Statement I contradicts statement III by focusing only on traditional infrastructure instead of modern innovation.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Relationship 1 is Correct: Statement I outlines the core objective of the Sagarmala Programme, launched in 2015, which is port-led economic development through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure. Statement II provides empirical evidence of its success, such as the 118% growth in coastal shipping, a 700% surge in inland waterway cargo movement, and improved global port rankings (with nine Indian ports now in the global top 100). Thus, the tangible achievements in Statement II directly validate the effectiveness of the foundational strategies mentioned in Statement I. Relationship 2 is Correct: Statement III highlights the goals of Sagarmala 2.0, which focuses on smart ports, green shipping, and positioning India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat visions. This acts as an evolutionary extension of the foundational infrastructure goals in Statement I, embedding them into a broader, future-oriented innovation framework rather than replacing them. Relationship 3 is Incorrect: Statement I does not contradict Statement III. The initial focus on traditional and sustainable coastal infrastructure in the original Sagarmala Programme serves as the necessary physical base upon which the modern innovation and technology-driven goals of Sagarmala 2.0 are built. The two phases are complementary and represent a progressive policy evolution, not a contradiction. Therefore, relationships 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the correct choice.