Digital Governance and Cyber Security Framework in India
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
This framework is crucial for understanding the government's role in regulating the digital space, protecting citizens from online harm, and ensuring national cyber security. It's a dynamic area with significant policy implications for governance and public welfare.
India's digital governance framework aims to ensure a safe, trusted, and accountable internet for all users, including children, by establishing legal obligations for intermediaries and promoting cyber hygiene.
Facts & tables
- IT Act, 2000
- Primary legislation governing information technology in India, providing the legal basis for cyber activities.
- IT Rules, 2021
- Mandate due diligence for intermediaries and require removal of unlawful content within specified timelines.
- Government's Vision
- To ensure an Open, Safe, Trusted, and Accountable Internet for its users.
- Awareness Campaigns
- Initiatives like ISEA, CERT-In, PRAGYATA Guidelines, CBSE, and NCERT promote cyber safety and digital etiquette.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Polity & Governance |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) | Formulates and implements policies |
| CERT-In | Responds to cyber security incidents and promotes awareness |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- IT Act, 2000: Foundational law for IT.
- IT Rules, 2021: Intermediary due diligence, content removal.
- Government's goal: Open, Safe, Trusted, Accountable Internet.
- Awareness: ISEA, CERT-In, PRAGYATA, CBSE, NCERT.
- Blocking harmful content (Section 79(3)(b)).
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Policy measures |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2016 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
Timeline
-
Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2016
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Government Strengthens Safeguards Against Digital Addiction; 11.37L+ Citizens Reached Through 6,650 Cyber Awareness Workshops
India's digital governance is anchored by the IT Act and Rules, focusing on intermediary accountability, content moderation, and extensive public awareness campaigns to foster a secure online environment.
See also
Past papers
2016–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
Government Strengthens Safeguards Against Digital Addiction; 11.37L+ Citizens Reached Through 6,650 Cyber Awareness Workshops
India's digital governance is anchored by the IT Act and Rules, focusing on intermediary accountability, content moderation, and extensive public awareness campaigns to foster a secure online environment.
Try these PYQs
In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents?
1. Service providers
2. Data centres
3. Body corporate
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
In India, section 70-B of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (the IT Act) gives the Central Government the power to appoint an agency of the government to be called the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team. Further, it is legally mandatory for service providers, data centres and body corporates to report on cybersecurity incidents as outlined in the Information Technology (The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and Manner of Performing Functions and Duties) Rules, 2013, which were notified under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Consider the following
1. Aarogya Setu
2. CoWIN
3. Digi Locker
4. DIKSHA
Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?
An open-source digital platform is essentially a software platform where the underlying code is freely available for anyone to see, modify, and distribute. This openness fosters collaboration, transparency, and innovation in software development. All of the above (1. Aarogya Setu, 2. CoWIN, 3. Digi Locker, 4. DIKSHA) are built on top of open-source digital platforms. - Aarogya Setu initially wasn't open-source, but the Indian government later made its source code available. - CoWIN leverages open-source software for its development. - DigiLocker utilizes an open-source platform called Digital Locker System.
- DIKSHA is built on the open-source platform Sunbird.
Regarding ‘DigiLocker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.
2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Statement 1 is correct: DigiLocker is a cloud-based digital locker system launched by the Government of India under the Digital India Programme. Its primary objective is to reduce reliance on physical documents by providing secure digital storage and access to e-documents issued by government departments, educational institutions, and other entities. Statement 2 is correct: DigiLocker enables users to access their electronic documents (e-documents) anytime, anywhere, provided they have an internet connection. This enhances convenience, eliminates the need to carry physical documents, and ensures secure and verifiable digital storage. Therefore, both statements are correct.
Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India:
1. It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities.
2. This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy.
3. One of the aims of this Mission is to cover all public places of India by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is Correct: Mission Sudarshan Chakra is designed as a multi-domain security umbrella. It explicitly aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence, and aerial offensive capabilities, acting as both a defensive shield and an offensive sword. Statement 2 is Correct: The mission integrates advanced technologies like AI, space-based sensors, and directed energy weapons to ensure rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses. This indigenous development (incorporating projects like Project Kusha) is specifically aimed at reinforcing India's strategic autonomy and self-reliance in the defence sector. Statement 3 is Correct: A major distinguishing feature of this initiative is its expanded scope. Announced as a 10-year national security initiative, a stated goal of the mission is to bring all public places (including hospitals, railways, and religious/cultural sites) under an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035, moving beyond the conventional protection of just military and strategic installations. Therefore, the correct option is A.
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017?
1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade.
2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country.
3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is not a scheme for developing Smart Cities. Instead, it is a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying innovative digital technology solutions to solve real-world challenges across various sectors. Statement 2 is correct: The Government of India launched the Smart India Hackathon to encourage students and professionals to develop innovative digital solutions for challenges in agriculture, health, education, energy, environment, and other domains. It serves as a platform for young minds to engage in problem-solving and contribute to technological advancements. Statement 3 is incorrect: While the hackathon focuses on digital technology innovations, it is not specifically centered on digital financial transactions. Instead, it covers a wide range of sectors where technology can drive efficiency and innovation. Hence, correct answer is option (B).
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following statements:
A digital signature is
1. an electronic record that identifies the certifying authority issuing it
2. used to serve as a proof of identity of an individual to access information or server on Internet
3. an electronic method of signing an electronic document and ensuring that the original content is unchanged
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. A digital signature doesn't directly identify the certifying authority that issued it. It uses a complex cryptographic process involving a public-key infrastructure (PKI) where a trusted third party (Certificate Authority) verifies the signer's identity and issues a digital certificate used for creating the signature. Statement 2 is incorrect. While digital signatures can be used for authentication purposes in certain scenarios, they are not the primary method for user identification when accessing information or servers on the internet. Usernames, passwords, and other credentials are more commonly used. Statement 3 is correct. It ensures the integrity of an electronic document by creating a unique digital fingerprint that is linked to the content. Any alteration to the document would invalidate the signature.
Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India?
1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did.
2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our school, public places and major tourist centres
Select the correct answer using the code given below
* Statement 1 is not correct: The formation of India’s own internet companies, similar to China’s approach, is not an aim of the Digital India programme. The initiative focuses on creating digital infrastructure, providing digital services, and promoting digital literacy — not establishing government-backed internet firms. * Statement 2 is not correct: The Digital India plan does not include any policy framework to attract foreign multinational corporations to build data centres in India. While data localisation and data centre policies have emerged later under different frameworks, they are not part of the original Digital India objectives. * Statement 3 is correct: One of the key aims of Digital India is to connect villages through broadband and to provide Wi-Fi access in schools, public places, and tourist centres. This is part of its core pillars like Broadband Highways, Public Internet Access Programme, and Early Harvest Programmes.
Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?
1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits.
2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Correct: The National Quantum Mission (NQM) aims to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 to 1000 physical qubits within 8 years. Specifically, it targets 50–100 physical qubits in 5 years and scales up to 50–1000 physical qubits in 8 years using platforms like superconducting and photonic technology. Statement 2 is Correct: The implementation of the mission explicitly includes the establishment of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in top academic and national R&D institutes across India. These hubs focus on distinct technology verticals: Quantum Computing (led by IISc Bengaluru), Quantum Communication (led by IIT Madras), Quantum Sensing & Metrology (led by IIT Bombay), and Quantum Materials & Devices (led by IIT Delhi). Therefore, both statements are correct.