New Delhi: The digital tale of India is one of ICT-led growth through the application of technology that is accessible, inclusive, and transformative. The “Digital India” programme seeks to make India into a society and knowledge-based economy that is empowered by technology by promoting accessibility, inclusiveness, and engagement. The resilience of digital services and infrastructure was already demonstrated during pandemic periods. India is one of the top nations in regards to rapid adoption of digital technology. This was accomplished because to the government’s laser-like concentration and the adoption of creative ideas. In addition to making life easier for residents, these initiatives have improved the environment for businesses, industries, and electronics production with the goal of transforming India into a “AtmaNirbhar” country. The following are the main projects and accomplishments from this year:
Electronic Infrastructure
Aadhaar, a digital identity
The largest digital identity programme in the world, Aadhaar offers a biometric and demographic-based unique digital identity that can be confirmed whenever and wherever it is needed. It also helps to eradicate duplicate and fraudulent identities. It gives the delivery of numerous social welfare programmes an identity infrastructure. A total of 129.41 crore [Live] Aadhaar cards have been issued as of November 30th, 2022.
UIDAI has established 88 Aadhaar SevaKendras (ASKs) in 72 locations nationwide to give individuals easy access to Aadhaar enrolment and updating services.
In order to verify an Aadhaar number holder’s identity with Aadhaar authentication, UIDAI has introduced the Face Authentication modality. 21 Entities are currently allowed to employ face authentication in a production setting. 1.15 crore face authentication transactions have been made between October 15 and November 30, 2021.
Services Delivered Digitally
Common Services Centers (CSCs): With extensive coverage in rural areas up to the Gram Panchayat & Block level, CSCs are the largest digital service delivery network in the world. These broadband-connected kiosks with information and communication technologies have been offering citizens a range of public, private, and social services. 5.49 lakh CSCs, both urban and rural, are currently operational, 4.37 lakh of which are operating at the Gram Panchayat level.
The Honourable Prime Minister introduced Meri Pehchaan, a National Single Sign-On (NSSO), on July 4, 2022. It is a user authentication solution that enables access to several online services or applications with just one set of credentials. 5057 services from different Ministries and States are currently connected with NSSO.
The Honourable Prime Minister introduced MyScheme on July 4, 2022. It is an online marketplace for schemes where people may choose eligible ones depending on their demographics. Over 180 programmes from the 27 Central and State/UT Governments have been hosted in 13 different categories.
The need of physical documents is being reduced thanks to DigiLocker, which has given citizens access to a personal cloud-based platform for document storage, sharing, and certificate verification. More than 562 billion documents are accessible through DigiLocker, which has more than 13.5 billion registered users.
A unified platform called UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) has been created to supply important government services via mobile. 20,197 Bharat Bill Payment Services (BBPS) and 1,658 Central/State Government services have already been included to UMANG.
India Stack Global was established to promote the India Stack and its component parts internationally. The India Stack Global portal is currently offering 12 important projects and platforms, including Aadhaar, UPI, Co-Win, API Setu, DigiLocker, AarogyaSetu, GeM, UMANG, Diksha, E-Sanjeevani, E-Hospital, and E-Office, in all UN languages.
API Setu: In 2015, MeitY informed the public of its “Policy on Open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)”. The goal of the policy was to encourage effective data sharing between data owners and between and within government agencies in order to realise the goal of interoperable systems for the delivery of services in an integrated fashion. As a result, API Setuproject wants to make it easier to adopt this regulation. On the NDH gateway, the portal has made available 2,118 APIs from various Central and State Government departments. There are 330 consumers and 1047 publishers at this time.
An Aadhaar bearer can sign electronic documents quickly, easily, and securely with eSign. 34.41 billion eSigns have been generated thus far. 8.22 crore of them are electronic signatures (e-Signs) issued by CDAC (under the e-Hastakshar programme).
The creation of the National AI Portal aims to increase AI awareness and communication in the nation by providing all stakeholders with relevant information about AI in a single location. As of the end of October 2022, it had released 120 government projects, 114 research reports, 799 news stories, 1520 articles, and 262 videos all pertaining to AI.
AarogyaSetu: It is a smartphone application that the Indian government launched on April 2, 2020, to support COVID-19 government operations. The app’s contact tracing-based operation aids the government in locating, tracking, and restricting the spread of COVID-19 throughout the nation. With the help of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the app has been rebranded as the National Health App and now offers a wide range of digital health services (ABDM). Citizens can now sign up for an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (also known as a Digital Health ID) and use it to communicate with participating healthcare professionals via Aarogyasetu.
GST First: GST-Prime is a tool designed to aid tax administrators in their analysis and monitoring of tax compliance and collection within their respective jurisdictions. GST-Prime enhances GST compliance, boosts tax collection, broadens the tax base, uncovers tax fraud and evasion, and forecasts the impact of policy changes.
Electronic Transaction Aggregation & Analysis Layer, version 3.0: A real-time aggregated perspective of the volume of eServices being provided by various agencies of the Central, State, and municipal governments in India is provided by eTaal. The number of “end-to-end electronic transactions” is the key performance indicator for G2C, G2B, and B2C e-Services as seen on the eTaal dashboard. Around 13,897 crore electronic transactions have been logged between January 2022 and December 7th, 2022, and 20 more electronic services have been connected with the platform. integrating 4033 eServices altogether.
The Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) uses GPS-based tracking devices that are installed in vehicles to track and monitor public transportation. The system also has a panic alarm feature that starts an emergency response process to assist passengers who are in need with the aid of efficient monitoring using a command control centre.
eChallan: A complete traffic management system that combines a smartphone app with a complementary web application, CCTV/ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Reading) Cameras, RLVD/OSVD (Red Light/Over Speed Violation) Devices, Later Guns, etc. for the issuance of challans and notifications.
Electronic Human Resource Management System (eHRMS): From the time of hire until retirement, the eHRMS application is in charge of maintaining personnel records in electronic format. Service Book, Leave, LTC, Personal Information, Reimbursements, Advances, Tour, Helpdesk, and other modules, among others, will all be scanned or digitalized as part of the project to collect legacy data.
ServicePlus is a meta data-based e-service delivery framework that enables the general public to access all government services in his neighbourhood through standard service delivery outlets. At the moment, the framework is successfully supporting more than 2,791 Services of Central, State, and Local Government in 33 States/UTs.
Open Government Data (OGD 2.0): The OGD Platform (https://data.gov.in) was established to provide timely proactive access to Government owned shareable data, along with usage information in open/machine readable format, within the framework of various related policies, rules, and acts of the Government. OGD platform included 66,000 dataset resources, 876 catalogues given by 571 Ministry/Departments, over 210 visualisations, and 44,704 Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) generated between January 1 and December 7, 2022. On the OGD Platform, datasets have been viewed 32.22 lakh times and downloaded 94.7 lakh times as of this writing.
E-Government Development Index for the world: Along with two other Ministries/Departments, namely the Department of Higher Education and the Department of School Education and Literacy, MeitY serves as the nodal ministry for the E-Government Development Index (EGDI) (DHE and DoSEL). The Online Service Index, Telecommunication Infrastructure Index, and Human Capital Index are the three key e-government dimensions that make up the EGDI.
The 193 United Nations Member States’ e-government development status is shown in the most recent E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2022 edition. In EGDI 2022, India came in at position 105.
Websites’ and Internet domains’ accessibility:
Domain Names to Educational & Research Institutions: ERNET is the sole registrar for domains with the extensions ac.in, res.in, edu.in &.,.,. At the moment, ERNET supports more than 16000 domains.
Websites that are user-friendly and accessible to all members of society, including Divyangjan, are being developed or improved nationwide by State governments under the direction of ERNET with the goal of enabling barrier-free and inclusive access to digital information for citizens. The International Web Content Accessibility Guidelines have been followed in the development of more than 600 websites (WCAG).
electronic skills
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): By reaching 6 crore rural homes (one person per household) by 31.03.2022, PMDISHA aims to promote digital literacy in rural India. Around 6.6 crore individuals have been enrolled as of this writing, and 5.68 crore have received training; 4.22 crore of these candidates have received certification under the PMGDISHA Scheme.
Fee-reimbursement programme: Under the programme, SC/ST candidates are given free training at NIELIT in a variety of formal, non-formal, and IT literacy courses. A total of 14,756 SC/ST candidates received training in FY 2021–2022.
Future Skill PRIME: A programme called FutureSkills PRIME (Programme for Re-skilling/Up-skilling of IT Manpower for Employability) was created in collaboration between MeitY and NASSCOM. The Program is designed to give B2C beneficiaries opportunities to re-skill or up-skill in 10 emerging technologies, including blockchain, the internet of things, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, additive manufacturing/ 3D printing, cloud computing, social media, and mobile. 9.67 lakh people have registered for the programme so far, and 4.28 lakh of them have enrolled in various courses. Of them, 1.47 lakh candidates have finished the courses. Additionally, the Resource Centers (Lead/Co-Lead Centers) have trained 606 Trainers and 7107 Government Officials (GoT) (ToT).
To increase the number of PhDs in the fields of IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES) and Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM), the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics & IT was established.
At 97 institutions (IITs, NITs, Central & State Universities, etc.) in 25 States and 4 Union Territories, the scheme has provided support to 1019 Full-time and 330 Part-Time PhD candidates.
673 PhD candidates have finished their dissertations and submitted them. The programme is being used by 545 PhD candidates nationwide.
PhD candidates and YFRF grantees have submitted 71 patent applications.
The research researchers have published 5,416 research papers.
A second phase of the programme, Phase-II, has begun to sponsor 1000 additional full-time and 150 extra part-time PhD candidates.
The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), MeitY has trained 8.54 lakh applicants overall in FY 2021–2022, and 4.42 lakh individuals have received certifications in various formal/non-formal/digital literacy courses (including online / distance training mode).
Electronic payments
One of the government’s priority areas is developing an environment for digital payments. Banks showed a 106% year-over-year rise compared to FY 2016–17 during FY 2017–18, surpassing their combined objective of 2500 Cr with 2071 Cr digital transactions. Similar to that, there has been a notable increase in digital transactions for the fiscal years 2018–19, 2019–20, and 2021, when we accomplished 3134 crore, 4572 crore, and 5554 crore, respectively. In comparison to a target of 6,000 Cr, 8840 Cr in digital transactions were completed in FY 2021–22, with a YoY growth rate of 59%. The expansion of digital payments is being driven by our homegrown UPI, which processed 730 crore transactions online in October 2022.
promoting the production of electronics
In India, the manufacturing of electronics has grown at an unparalleled rate. By offering financial incentives to business, new policies and programmes like Production Linked Incentives (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing and IT Hardware, Scheme for Promoting Manufacturing of Electronic Components & Semiconductors (SPECS), Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0), etc. have fostered the growth of the domestic electronics ecosystem. As a result, the domestic output of electronic goods has significantly expanded, expanding at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% from 3,17,331 crore in 2016–17 to 6,40,810 crore in 2021–22. India is the world’s second-largest producer of mobile phones in terms of volume. With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25%, the output value of mobile phones increased from 90,000 crore in FY 2016–17 to 2,75,000 crore in FY 21–22.
Scheme for a Modified Special Incentives Package
The programme offers a 20–25% subsidy for capital investments in the construction of new electronic manufacturing facilities or the expansion of existing ones. The deadline for new applications to the Scheme was December 31, 2018.
315 applications with a total proposed investment of about Rs. 86,904 crore were authorised as of 30 November 2022. There have been 121 candidates who have received incentives totaling Rs. 1917.09 crore.
PLI for the Manufacturing of Large-Scale Electronics
In the initial round, 16 applications were approved.
According to the second round of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for IT Hardware, 16 businesses have been authorised. Gazette A production-linked incentive is provided by Notification No. CG-DL-E-03032021-225613, dated March 3, 2021, to promote local manufacturing and draw sizable investments in the value chain.
In accordance with the PLI Scheme for IT Hardware, 14 businesses have been approved.
Plan to Encourage the Production of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS)
Thirty-two (32) applications were approved as of November 30, 2022, with a total proposed investment of INR 11,131 crore and committed incentives of INR 1,519 crore. The applications that were approved have a combined employment generating potential of 32,547.
Electronics Manufacturing Clusters 2.0 (EMC 2.0) Modification Scheme
Three applications for the establishment of EMCs in the states of Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra have been granted with a total of Rs. 889 crore in financial support from MeitY.
The growth of India’s semiconductor and display manufacturing industries:
On December 15, 2021, the Union Cabinet approved the Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India with an outlay of INR 76,000 crore in order to broaden and deepen electronic manufacturing and ensure development of a strong and sustainable Semiconductor and Display ecosystem in the nation.
For the construction of semiconductor and display factories, applications were accepted until February 15, 2022. The plan has received positive feedback despite strict deadlines for application submission in this Greenfield area of semiconductor and display manufacture.
Five applications for semiconductor and display fabs totaling a combined investment of USD 20.5 billion have been submitted to the India Semiconductor Mission, which was established as a specific entity for the Semicon India Program (INR 153,750 crore).
The Union Cabinet also authorised the following adjustments to the Programme for Development of Semiconductor and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India on September 21, 2022:
Under the Scheme for Setting Up of Semiconductor Fabs in India, all technological nodes receive financial support equal to 50% of project costs on a pari passu basis.
50% of the project cost will be financially supported on a pari-passu basis under the Scheme for Setting Up of Display Fabs.
Under the Scheme for Setting Up of Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics / Sensors Fab and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) / OSAT facilities in India, financial support of 50% of Capital Expenditure on a pari-passu basis is provided. Additionally, Discrete Semiconductor Fabs will be one of the Scheme’s target technologies.
the marketing of IT and IT-enabled services
The Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) intends to achieve key goals of the National Policy on Software Product and promote the domestic software product ecosystem (NPSP). Twelve Tier-II cities—Agartala, Bhilai, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Guwahati, Jaipur, Mohali, Patna, Vijayawada, Lucknow, and Prayagraj—are the focus of the NGIS when it is first introduced. Over the course of three years, 300 tech start-ups from these regions are expected to receive support from NGIS, which has a total budget outlay of Rs. 95.03 crores.
The CHUNAUTI (Challenge Hunt Under NGIS for Advanced Uninhibited Technology Intervention) programme has so far launched fourteen Start-up Challenges. A total of 266 start-ups have been chosen, of whom 179 have received stipends and 63 have received seed funding following due diligence.
MeitY has started the project to have a comprehensive and sustained approach for IT/ITES Market Development in high potential and under penetrated markets – Africa and Nordics Region – to increase the global footprint of Indian IT/ITES Industry, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Start-ups through NASSCOM.
BPO Promotion Schemes: MeitY launched the India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS) and North East BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) to encourage the establishment of 53,300 seats for BPO/ITES operations by offering financial support up to Rs. 1 lakh per seat in the form of viability gap funding towards capital and operational expenditure along with special incentives. These programmes aim to create employment opportunities and disperse the IT/ITES industry in small cities and towns. IBPS and NEBPS had durations of up to 31.03.2019 and 31.03.2020, respectively; however, the distribution of financial support may continue past these dates. The financial assistance provided under these programmes is given on a reimbursement basis and is closely related to the goal, which is the creation of jobs by the units.
Currently, under NEBPS and IBPS, over 246 BPO/ITES units are either functioning or have finished their stay, providing direct employment to about 51,521 people.
Schemes for export promotion
Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) was established in 1991 as an Autonomous Society under the MeitY to promote software exports from the nation. The STPI serves as a “single-window” for services to software exporters. Software firms can establish offices in practical and affordable locations and plan their investment and growth based on business requirements thanks to the STP scheme.
The STP programme offers a number of advantages, including 100% FDI approval, sales in the DTA approval, duty-free importation of capital goods that are also IGST exempt, the right to a GST refund for capital goods purchased from DTA, and 100% depreciation on capital goods over a five-year period.
The Electronics Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) Scheme is a plan for conducting electronic goods manufacturing that is focused on exports.
Status
In order to disseminate the IT/ITES/ESDM industry around the country in smaller cities for balanced regional growth, STPI has established a total of 63 STPI operational centers/sub-centres, of which 55 are in Tier II and Tier III cities.
According to units registered under STP/EHTP programmes, exports (tentative) for the Financial Year 2021–22 are estimated to be worth Rs. 6.28 lakh crore.
startups and inventions
MeitY Startup Hub (MSH): MSH is an active, distinctive, and cooperative platform for the tech startup community to create significant synergies in the Indian startup market. One key differentiator in MSH’s efforts to propel the tech startup ecosystem in the nation has been the organization’s quick value additions to domestic tech startups in the areas of enhancing scalability, market outreach, and domestic value addition as well as setting up creative partnerships with various stakeholders. More than 3330 startups, 475 incubators, 420 mentors, and 22 cutting-edge Centres of Excellence (CoEs) have consolidated under MSH. 143 challenges in various technology areas have been successfully completed or are currently being completed, which encourages the creation of novel goods and services to address urgent and current problems.
Through the TIDE 2.0 Scheme, which includes financial and technical support to incubators working to help ICT businesses leveraging new technologies like IoT, AI, Block-chain, Robotics, etc., MeitY is boosting tech entrepreneurship. The Scheme’s main goal is to support incubation operations at prestigious R&D organisations and higher education institutions. It is being implemented by 51 incubators through a three-tiered framework. Approximately 2000 digital start-ups are anticipated to receive incubation support through the five-year, Rs. 264 crore programme. More than 780 businesses have been accepted into the programme across 51 incubators, and of those, 74 have clients, 128 have developed goods, 155 have generated intellectual property rights, 2100 have created jobs, and 54 have won awards or other recognitions.
producing electronic systems and designs Entrepreneur Parks: To promote innovation, STPI New Delhi, Makers Village in Cochin, Kerala, IIT Patna, the Government of Bihar, and the Fabless Chip Design Incubation Center at IIT Hyderabad have all been developed. There have been 250 startups funded, many of which are active and in the productization process.
Domain Specific Centers of Excellence (CoE): To promote technological innovation and foster superior infrastructure, the goal is to establish 20 CoEs in a variety of fields, including fintech, Medtech, IoT, and automotive electronics. 19 CoEs have been set up thus far. These domain-specific CoEs serve as catalysts and help make India an emerging innovation powerhouse by democratising innovation and making prototypes.
STPI has established the first Fab Lab in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with assistance from the Fab Foundation in the United States and the state of Odisha. The lab’s major equipment includes things like a laser cutter, a large-scale CNC mill, a small-scale CNC mill, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, sandblasters, electronic components and tools, moulding and casting tools, and electronics test equipment, among other things.
MeitY-Center of Excellence (CoE) for Internet of Things (IoT): The PPP model is used to fund the centre. For Bangalore via ERNET, the ratio is [50:50 (MeitY: Industry) and for the other three centres, it is [47:40:13 (MeitY: State: Industry)].
Numerous start-ups are housed in these centres, and they have continuous access to cutting-edge technology financed by MeitY in a building supplied by state governments. Gurugram, Gandhinagar, and Vizag are the other three centres (spokes), and Bangalore serves as their hub.
Studying and Developing
The electronics and information technology sector has recently grown to be a significant source of both employment opportunities and industry revenue in the nation. The nation is evolving into a centre for international corporations’ R&D. One of the most globally diversified businesses in the world is the electronics and IT sector, which is a major actor in the economy. Large global corporations with offices in India have also established R&D and innovation hubs there. The government has introduced new R&D programmes because it believes that R&D is crucial to the execution of new initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, and Startup India.
The main research and development projects include the National Language Technology Mission, National Super Computing Mission, National Mission on Power Electronics Technology, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology, Automation Systems Technology Center (ASTeC), Deployment of Automation technologies in process industries, Development of Medical Linear Accelerator and its Linked Accessories, MRI, E-waste management, Development of Super-Capacitors, Specialized Power Electronics, and Specialized Power Electronics. The following are some of this year’s notable accomplishments:
The Hon’ble Prime Minister established Bhashini, the National Language Technology Mission (NLTM), in July 2022 to provide startup-academia ecosystem-based open-source language technology solutions for speech and text translation based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP). In order to deliver superior citizen services and digital resources, these technologies would enable enterprises to develop cutting-edge, artificial intelligence-based multilingual interfaces, including voice-based interfaces, for their websites and apps. On the Bhashini platform, 289 pre-trained AI models for language translation in 10 Indian languages are now available.
A “Quantum Computer Simulator” has been created to aid in quantum computing research, enable testing of quantum computing algorithms and programmes, and facilitate hands-on teaching. On HPC platforms like PARAM Shavak and PARAM Siddhi, the simulator has been ported.
Excellence Center for Quantum Technologies: A multi-institutional effort was started to build infrastructure, capacity, and competency in quantum technologies (IISc, CDAC, and RRI). The project’s goal involves creating a 4 Qbit native quantum processor, developing hardware for quantum communications, creating quantum sensors and algorithms, and more.
National Supercomputing Mission (NSM): C-DAC has put into service at academic institutions 11 new supercomputers with different capacities (50TF, 833TF, 1.66PF, and 3.33PF). The production of 6000 Rudra server nodes for Phase-3 systems construction has begun. The development of HPC applications is advanced. More than 4000 people have received training in HPC-related fields.
Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP): To satisfy the strategic and commercial needs, a family of 32-bit and 64-bit microprocessors, together with the software toolchain and IP Cores that go with them, are being locally built utilising Open-Source ISA (Instruction Set Architecture). In the MDP:
IIT Madras created the 32-bit/64-bit SHAKTI processor, which was produced utilising the foundries of SCL Mohali (180 nm) and Intel (22 nm).
C-DAC has created 64-bit Single, Dual, and Quad-Core VEGA CPU variations. Single-core, 32/64-bit VEGA processor made by Silterra at 130 nm and shipped to SCL at 180 nm for manufacture
Quad-Core, 64-bit AJIT processor created by IIT Bombay.
Indian Internet Hon’ble MoS (MeitY) launched the RISC-V (DIR-V) Program, which aims to develop commercial-grade silicon and win design awards for the DIR-V VEGA and DIR-V SHAKTI processors by December 2023.
Sector-Specific Self-Sustaining R&D Centers: To support industry-led research, R&D as a service, and R&D export, it is envisioned to establish sector-specific self-sustaining centres in the fields of optoelectronics materials, components, and recycling. Twelve such centres have already been established in fields such quantum materials, additive manufacturing, silicon photonics, graphene, e-waste, lithium/na-ion batteries, the internet of things, etc.
Phase III of the National Mission on Power Electronics Technology The current NaMPET-III effort aims to improve the nation’s power electronics technological foundation. Several initiatives, including technology development and implementation, technology transfer, raising public awareness, and enhancing industrial linkages with academic and R&D institutions through cooperative research, are ongoing. The development of magnetic field/current sensors based on Wide Band Gap Devices, the design and development of planar magnetic materials, the deployment of LVDC-based power packs in houseboats, wireless chargers for light electric vehicles, the deployment of micro-grids, and their interconnection are all in various stages of development. In various regions of the nation, twelve short-term courses on specialised power electronics applications have been held.
Two items—a 3.3 KW AC charger for electric vehicles and Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) powering for houseboat hotel loads—have been created and are prepared for technology transfer.
National Program on Electronics and Information Technology Applications in Agriculture and Environment (AgriEnIcs): Using IoT, ICT, machine learning, and robotics technologies, a national initiative has been started to change the agriculture and environmental sectors. In order to create technology that is user-friendly and commercially successful, this umbrella programme aims to include the industry, users, academia, and R&D institutes working in the related domains of the theme areas.
The first version of AQ-AIMS has been built, the field trial has been finished, and it is available for technology transfer. It monitors environmental pollutants PM1, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, O3, ambient temperature, and relative humidity.
Subsystem for Electric Vehicle (EV) Development: A programme on “Electric Vehicle Development” (EVs) Sub System was started with the broad goal of developing the indigenously produced electric vehicle sub-systems in the areas of electric motor, controller, converters, chargers, etc., for small to big cars. The technology or product must deliver what is expected in terms of cost-effectiveness, competitive quality, and commercial viability. The development of EV subsystems is being done in a consortium format with the help of government organisations and R&D organisations for design and development, industry for commercialization, and automakers for usage in manufacturing. The technologies for electric vehicle motors, controllers, converters, and chargers are currently advancing.
The development, testing, and transfer of technology for 1.2 KW motor/controller for e-rickshaw, 5 KW motor/controller for e-auto, and 1 KW BLDC motor/controller for e-rickshaw to industries for commercialization.
Internet safety
With the aim of educating and empowering the Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and larger IT community of Central/State Governments, Banks, and PSUs to address the challenges of cyber security, Cyber Surakshit Bharat (CSB) was established in partnership with Industry Consortium in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Around 1200 officials were trained and equipped throughout the programme, which took place in 6 cities. As of November 2022, 1266 CISOs/IT executives from government, PSU, bank, and government organisations had completed 31 batches of deep dive training (18 in person and 13 in online format).
Grand Challenge for Startups in Cybersecurity: It was launched in January 2020 with the goal of creating a cyber security product based on the six distinct problem statements that were determined to be the most pertinent to the current issues facing the cyber space ecosystem. The Grand Challenge was divided into three phases: the ideation phase, the minimum viable product (MVP) phase, and the conclusion phase. The panel picked 12 teams for the ideation round based on the concept and method provided to develop a solution or product based on the six problems, and each team received a payment of Rs. 5 lakh along with mentorship support. A panel selected six teams for the MVP round and awarded them each Rs. 10 lakh based on their strategy, USPs, and value propositions, deployability, and product-market fit. The winner received a cash award of Rs. 1 crore when the final results were published on November 18, 2021. First runners-up received a monetary award of Rs. 60 lakh, while second runners-up received Rs. 40 lakh.
The procedure to hold the Cyber Security Grand Challenge (CSGC) 2.0 has begun, and the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) has received administrative approval to conduct the CSGC 2.0.
Officers from Central Government Ministries/Departments receive online cyber security training:
All of the officers and personnel of the Indian government will receive generic online training in cyber security (awareness training) of roughly 6 to 8 hours in length: As of the end of November 2022, 40 batches had been finished, covering 12279 government employees from 76 Ministries and Departments.
For those who are technically trained or have the necessary aptitude in cyber security or IT, online foundation training (advance level) in cyber security (60 hours theory + 40 hours labs) is available: As of November 30th, 2022, 11 batches had covered 656 government employees from 76 Ministries and Departments.
Cybersecurity National Center of Excellence (NCoE):
Under the R&D programme for cyber security. Under a project supported by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Cyber Security was established in partnership with the Data Security Council of India. The aforementioned project aims to create a national development momentum for cyber security technologies and industry. The following are the Center’s main goals: I Create an ecosystem for the advancement of cyber security technology and entrepreneurship. R&D into Security Products (ii) Making security product technology stacks cutting-edge and modern is goal number three. Goal number four is market adoption of developed products across multiple cyber security industries, including the financial sector. 55 startups have so far been nurtured by NCoE to develop products or solutions in many important areas of cyber security. Twenty more startups are currently receiving mentoring.
Building Cybersecurity Capacity in the North-East
Development of Cloud-based Centralized Cyber Forensics Lab Infrastructure and Cyber Forensic Training and Investigation Labs in North-Eastern States: This project will create eight NIELIT Centers in North Eastern states with Cyber Forensics Training and Investigation Labs. 1692 individuals have received training through this programme thus far. Additionally, NIELIT Kohima’s cloud-based infrastructure is used for the transmission of content, the sharing of cyber forensic tools, and cloud-based virtual training in cyber forensics for LEAs throughout all eight of the region’s states.
Section 79A of the Information Technology Act of 2000 requires the Central Government to notify forensic laboratories as “Examiners of Electronic Evidence” for the purposes of offering an expert opinion on electronic form evidence before any court or other authority. MeitY has conceived and implemented a scheme for the identification and selection of Examiners of Electronic Evidence, initially to access and notify Examiners of Electronic Evidence on a pilot basis. MeitY has so far notified twelve Cyber Forensics Labs.
CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team): Under the provisions of Section 70B of the Information Technology Act of 2000, CERT-In has been designated to act as the national agency for incident response. For prompt reaction to reported cyber security events, CERT-In runs a 24 hour/day help desk. Along with security quality management services, CERT-In offers incident prevention and response services.
A total of 6,207 officials from the public, commercial, and essential sectors of government have received training in the area of cyber security through 21 trainings, workshops, and online sessions as of November 2022.
To help businesses and consumers secure their systems and data in 2022, CERT-In released a total of 1094% of the year’s advisories, 463 vulnerability notes, and 599 security warnings (totaling 32 advisories, 599 security alerts, and 599 total).
Cybersecurity Exercise “Synergy”- Table Top Exercise “Synergy” was successfully carried out on August 31, 2022, for 13 countries as part of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative in cooperation with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA). “Building network resilience to fight ransomware assaults” was the exercise’s central theme. On its exercise simulation platform, CERT-In hosted the exercise.
On November 15 and 16, 2022, CERT-In and the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (ASCCE), Singapore, held a two-day joint webinar on “Cyber Threat Hunting” for 48 cyber security experts from ASEAN Member states.
On November 3, 2022, CERT-In hosted a webinar on “Cyber Threat Hunting” for 22 cyber security experts from IBSA (India, Brazil, and South Africa) Member nations.
As of September 13, 2022, CERT-In is a Trusted Introducer and Accredited Member of the Task Force for Computer Security Incident Response Teams (TF-CSIRT/TI). Building trust within the CERT community depends on other parties being able to assume with confidence that a CERT has attained a particular degree of functionality and maturity thanks to the TI’s seal of approval.
CERT-In manages the National Cyber Coordination Center, Threat Intelligence Sharing Platform, and Cyber Swachhata Kendra (CSK) (NCCC). Currently, CSK is providing notifications of botnet/malware infection to 94% of the subscriber base. Organizations from the telecom (ISPs) sector, government, finance, healthcare, IT &ITeS, transport, energy, academia, utilities, and industries & manufacturing are among those who gain from using the services.
On the basis of strict eligibility requirements, CERT-In has appointed 150 information security auditing businesses to conduct information security audits, including vulnerability assessments and penetration tests of the networked infrastructure of critical sector and governmental institutions. The entities in the government and key sectors regularly reference this list of CERT-In empaneled auditing organisations for their auditing needs.
For various industries, including Ministries, Government Organizations, Industry, and Academia in 2022, CERT-In hosted several awareness programmes that attracted 10,665 participants.
With the topic of “See Yourself in Cyber,” CERT-In organised a number of events and activities for Indian individuals as well as the technical cyber community during National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October 2022 (NCSAM2022). CERT-In ran a number of technical training events for the technical cyber community during NCSAM 2022. These programmes included technical discussions and practical demonstrations by CERT-In specialists, collaboration partners, and industry. National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October 2022 will reach 71,16,57,905 people in total.
