Union Budget 2025: Did it Live Up to the “Cyber” Hype?
The Union Budget 2025-2026 presented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) highlights the Indian government’s initiatives to encourage cybersecurity as a foundation of the nation’s digital transformation.
With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, the budget allocates significant resources to improve India’s cybersecurity infrastructure, ensure data protection and build a secure digital ecosystem. Let’s get deep into the key cybersecurity initiatives and allocations in the budget, highlighting their implications for India’s digital future.
Increased Allocation for Cyber Security Projects
The budget for Cyber Security Projects has seen a substantial increase, from ₹316.51 crores in 2023-2024 to ₹782 crores in 2025-2026. This nearly 150% surge reflects the government’s recognition of the growing importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding critical infrastructure, citizen data, and digital services.
Key Focus Areas:
● Holistic Approach: The funds will be utilized to adopt a comprehensive strategy, including policy formulation, compliance, assurance, incident response, and legal frameworks.
● Incident Response and Early Warning: Strengthening the capabilities of CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team).
● Collaboration and Training: Enhancing collaboration with international agencies and investing in cybersecurity training programs to build a skilled workforce.
Strengthening CERT-In’s Role
CERT-In, the national agency for cybersecurity incident response, has been allocated ₹255 crores in 2025-2026, up from ₹249.28 crores in 2023-2024. This allocation will enable CERT-In to:
● Expand its monitoring and analysis capabilities to combat advanced cyber threats.
● Issue timely advisories, vulnerability notes, and whitepapers to guide organizations and individuals.
● Enhance its role in coordinating cyber incident responses across government and private sectors.
Establishment of the Data Protection Board
The enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 has paved the way for the establishment of the Data Protection Board (DPB), which has been allocated ₹5 crores in 2025-2026. The DPB will play a pivotal role in:
● Ensuring compliance with data protection laws.
● Addressing grievances related to personal data breaches.
● Promoting awareness about data privacy and security among citizens and organizations.
Focus on R&D in Cybersecurity
The budget earmarks ₹1,249.75 crores for R&D in IT/Electronics/CCBT, a significant portion of which will be directed towards cybersecurity research. Key initiatives include:
● Development of indigenous cybersecurity technologies to reduce reliance on foreign solutions.
● Support for startups working on innovative cybersecurity products and services.
● Research in emerging areas such as blockchain, quantum cryptography, and artificial intelligence for cybersecurity applications.
IndiaAI Mission and Cybersecurity
The IndiaAI Mission, with an allocation of ₹2,000 crores, aims to democratize AI innovation in India. Cybersecurity is a critical component of this mission, with a focus on:
● Developing AI-driven tools for threat detection and mitigation.
● Ensuring ethical and secure AI deployment across industries.
● Collaborating with global partners to establish best practices for AI security.
The Union Budget 2025-2026 started a new wave in India’s cybersecurity journey. By allocating substantial resources to cybersecurity projects, R&D, capacity building, and data protection, the government can create a resilient digital ecosystem. More than safeguarding India’s critical infrastructure and citizen data, it helps India to position itself as a global leader in cybersecurity innovation. trusted partners like Auriseg, a leading cybersecurity firm, play a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s vision. With its cutting-edge solutions in threat intelligence, incident response, compliance support, and AI-driven cybersecurity tools, Auriseg empowers organizations to navigate the complexities of today’s digital threats.
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