A recent study by PRAHAR (Public Response Against Helplessness & Action for Redressal), a non-profit advocating for citizen protection, has projected a dramatic surge in cyberattacks on India, estimating an annual rate of 1 trillion attacks by 2033, reaching an alarming 17 trillion by 2047—coinciding with India’s centennial as an independent nation. The report warns that adversaries, both domestic and international, are strategically targeting India’s digital landscape to undermine its ascent as a global power.

Highlighting a global trend, the report noted a 76% rise in cyberattacks worldwide in the first quarter of 2024, with India among the most heavily impacted. This increase emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity defenses across industries, especially in sectors frequently targeted by cybercriminals.

In 2023 alone, India recorded over 79 million cyberattacks, marking a 15% increase from 2022 and ranking it third worldwide for cyber incidents. The upward trend continued in early 2024, with over 500 million cyberattacks thwarted in the first three months.

The economic toll has been substantial; in just the first four months of 2024, Indians lost over ₹1,750 crore to cybercrime, with more than 740,000 cases reported via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. PRAHAR’s report also pointed to the rise of illegal offshore gambling and betting platforms, warning that users engaging with these could be susceptible to cyber manipulation, potentially being recruited for attacks against the state.

The report advocates for the creation of a “Super Cyber Force” and targeted “surgical strikes” in cyberspace, positioning India to take an offensive approach in this new digital battleground. Additional recommendations include advanced tech infrastructure, skills development, app whitelisting, and public education. PRAHAR’s National Convenor, Abhay Mishra, explained that cyber threats are twofold: traditional financial and disruptive attacks, and a more covert category that manipulates citizens into anti-national activities through coercion and deceit.