GS Paper III · Internal Security
Cyber Security Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper III)
From the syllabus: Linkages between development and extremism; role of external state and non-state actors; communication networks, media and social networking in internal security; cyber security; money-laundering; border areas and organized crime with terrorism; security forces and agencies
Why it matters: Questions examine critical infrastructure protection and how national agencies handle rising digital threats against government networks.
In the news
October 2026
12 Oct 2026
UK Prime Minister confirms Russian interference in 2016 Brexit voteBritish Prime Minister Burnham publicly confirmed that intelligence assessments verify Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum. The admission brings renewed focus to foreign state-sponsored disinformation and hybrid warfare...
08 Oct 2026
Proposed Techno-Legal Framework for AI RegulationThe Union Government has announced that a consultation paper on Artificial Intelligence regulation will be released within a month, focusing heavily on safety, deepfakes, and user protection. The government emphasizes that AI cannot be...
08 Oct 2026Telangana
Telangana Cyber Security Bureau Arrests 101 FraudstersThe Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has conducted a massive multi-state operation, arresting 101 individuals linked to cybercrimes. The operation successfully traced 1,172 cybercrime links across India, recovering crucial...
05 Oct 2026
The Rise of Phone Bombing as a Tool of Digital HarassmentDigital safety advocates have warned against the rising trend of phone bombing, where victims are flooded with hundreds of automated fake messages and calls within minutes. Operated through easily accessible pranking-as-a-service online...
05 Oct 2026
IIT Gandhinagar Demonstrates Free-Space Quantum Key Distribution LinkResearchers at IIT Gandhinagar successfully established India's first free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) link over a distance of 5.56 kilometres through the atmosphere. The demonstration marks a crucial step toward developing...
04 Oct 2026
Platform Liability Concerns Rise Amid Automated AI Agent DisputesLegal disputes such as Amazon versus Perplexity AI have brought national focus to platform governance and intermediary liability for autonomous artificial intelligence agents in India. Additionally, OpenAI reported rogue AI agent...
September 2026
28 Sep 2026
Cyber Experts Warn of Security Risks from Autonomous AI AgentsFollowing an international data breach involving autonomous artificial intelligence systems, cybersecurity specialists have urged India to establish strict regulatory guardrails for advanced AI agents. Unlike standard software,...
20 Sep 2026
Union Minister Cautions Semiconductor Sector Against Rising Cyber RisksUnion Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw warned semiconductor industry leaders about potential cyberattacks and supply chain disruptions targeting India's growing chip ecosystem. As India expands its semiconductor footprint beyond assembly and...
16 Sep 2026
European Union Proposes "KIDS Act" for Social MediaThe European Commission has announced plans to present the "KIDS Act," proposing a blanket ban on social media access for children under 13 years of age. For adolescents between 13 and 15 years, the framework introduces strictly curated...
16 Sep 2026
Meta to Share Child Safety Reports Directly with Indian AgenciesMeta has agreed to share information regarding Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) directly with Indian law enforcement agencies. Previously, Meta routed all CSAM reports to the U.S. based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children...
13 Sep 2026
Anthropic Reports Misuse of AI Tools in Foreign Influence OperationsArtificial intelligence firm Anthropic reported that state-linked actors misused its AI chatbot Claude to run targeted influence campaigns and software operations. The operations targeted international bodies and experts discussing...
13 Sep 2026
Frontier AI Developers Urge External Safety Audits Amid Misuse ThreatsLeading artificial intelligence developers have proposed providing independent outside evaluators with continuous, employee-like access to frontier model codebases and testing labs. The initiative aims to counter critical risks related...
12 Sep 2026
Anthropic Flags AI Risks Ranging from Cyber Operations to Illicit DistillationAI safety researcher Anthropic released details on disrupted malicious activities, highlighting safety risks across seven core domains. Key concerns included illicit model distillation, automated cyber operations, influence campaigns,...
12 Sep 2026
Tech Report Highlights Risks of AI Misuse in Maritime ConflictsAI firm Anthropic reported that regional armed groups in West Asia attempted to utilize artificial intelligence models to assist with guided weapons development. The report highlighted emerging threats where dual-use AI technologies can...
11 Sep 2026
AI safety concerns rise over biological weapons risksAI developer Anthropic revealed that malicious actors and non-state groups have attempted to leverage advanced frontier models to gather actionable intelligence on biological weapons and guided armaments. The report underscores growing...
08 Sep 2026
FATF Flags Emergence of Digital Hawala in Global Illicit FinanceA recent Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report highlighted the rapid convergence of virtual digital assets with traditional informal value transfer networks, creating an evolving digital hawala mechanism. Nearly 70 percent of...
04 Sep 2026
U.S. Military Restricts Ad-Tracking Data Amid National Security ConcernsThe U.S. military curtailed commercial advertising trackers on official devices following intelligence assessments that commercially available location data sold by data brokers could compromise military personnel in operational zones....
03 Sep 2026
NHRC Issues Notice on Digital Platform Intermediary Liability and Child SafetyThe National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognisance of reports highlighting that algorithmic advertisements on major social media platforms facilitated access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The development...
02 Sep 2026
Social Media Platforms Enforce Mandatory AI Content LabelsMajor digital platforms have introduced explicit labeling requirements for AI-generated profiles and media content. The initiative aims to reduce misrepresentation, curb synthetic disinformation, and safeguard user trust online....
August 2026
30 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Highlights Proactive Judicial Action on 'Digital Arrest' ScamsChief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that the Indian judiciary is proactively tackling emerging cybercrimes, such as 'digital arrest' scams, rather than waiting solely for statutory amendments. The observation highlights the...
29 Aug 2026
DPDP Act Compliance Costs Impact Ed-Tech SectorImplementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act is imposing significant compliance costs on India's educational technology sector. Ed-tech platforms collect extensive student data, including learning analytics and...
27 Aug 2026
Five Eyes Alliance Focuses on Artificial Intelligence Security ThreatsThe Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, focused heavily on Artificial Intelligence during its latest security talks in Australia. Member nations...
26 Aug 2026
Appellate Tribunal lifts antitrust ban on WhatsApp data sharingAn appellate tribunal has set aside the Competition Commission of India's absolute prohibition on data sharing between WhatsApp and its parent company Meta, while upholding the financial penalty imposed on Meta. WhatsApp had argued that...
26 Aug 2026
Concerns raised over use of facial recognition at protest sitesCivil rights groups and legal experts have raised serious privacy concerns regarding the deployment of facial recognition technology and biometric surveillance during public protests. Critics argue that indiscriminate surveillance...
26 Aug 2026
Union Home Minister calls for proactive threat identificationUnion Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that India's security policy must adapt to emerging global challenges such as geopolitical instability, resource insecurity, and cyber misinformation. He urged security agencies to identify and...
Show 28 older stories
August 2026
25 Aug 2026
Rapid Rise of AI Smart Glasses Exposes Gaps in Privacy Regulatory FrameworksThe growing adoption of smart glasses equipped with cameras and artificial intelligence tools has raised significant concerns over unconsented public surveillance and privacy violations. Experts point out that existing personal data...
23 Aug 2026
Concerns Over Biometric Surveillance and Facial Recognition in Public ProtestsThe deployment of facial recognition technology and biometric surveillance at protest sites has sparked debates regarding civil liberties and privacy rights. Legal experts and civil society groups warn against potential regulatory...
23 Aug 2026
Biometric Surveillance at Protest Sites Sparks Privacy DebateThe increasing deployment of automated Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) and biometric equipment by law enforcement at peaceful protest venues has stirred constitutional debates over privacy rights. Legal scholars argue that...
18 Aug 2026
Disparity in Social Media Content Moderation EnforcementRecent analytical data reveals that proactive enforcement against hate speech and harassment on major platforms like Meta has dropped sharply in India compared to global figures. The trend highlights growing challenges in regulating...
17 Aug 2026
Anthropic Details Claude AI Watermarking Tech Using SynthID-TextAI developer Anthropic published detailed technical documentation explaining its text watermarking technique, which adapts the SynthID-Text framework originally created by Google DeepMind. The technique embeds imperceptible statistical...
July 2026
30 Jul 2026
OpenAI Discloses Rogue AI Agent Attack Impacting Multiple ServicesOpenAI revealed that a rogue AI agent attack targeted and affected several publicly-available digital services across different companies. While the firm did not name the other affected organizations, it confirmed that the incident...
25 Jul 2026
Security Surveillance and Internet Shutdowns Spark Civil Rights DebatesA plea has been filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the arbitrary suspension of internet services near the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi. Simultaneously, report highlights show that law enforcement agencies are increasingly...
23 Jul 2026
France Proposes Europe's First Social Media Ban for ChildrenFrance is taking steps to implement Europe's first comprehensive social media ban for children under the age of 15, citing rising concerns over mental health, online exploitation, and cyberbullying. The policy requires platforms to...
22 Jul 2026
End-of-Life Care Must Adapt to Digital Asset LegaciesModern healthcare systems and legal frameworks are being urged to integrate digital asset management into standard end-of-life care protocols. As individuals generate vast trails of personal, financial, and emotional data, these digital...
21 Jul 2026
Kudankulam Nuclear Plant Data Leak Spotlights CybersecurityReports of a data leak at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant have raised urgent concerns regarding the vulnerability of India's critical information infrastructure. Experts emphasize that cybersecurity and operational transparency are...
19 Jul 2026
Global Crackdown on AI-Driven 'Nudification' AppsAuthorities globally, including municipal leaders in San Francisco, have urged tech giants Apple and Google to remove AI-driven 'Nudification' apps from their platforms. These deepfake-generating applications present a severe threat to...
19 Jul 2026
Cyber Vulnerabilities Highlight Risks to Kudankulam Nuclear PlantRecent editorial analyses have brought renewed focus to the data security of India's nuclear installations, referencing historical cyber incidents at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. Experts emphasize that robust cybersecurity,...
17 Jul 2026
RBI issues data governance framework for banksThe Reserve Bank of India has released a comprehensive data governance guidance framework aimed at strengthening data quality, security, and accountability in the banking sector. The goal is to build operational resilience and protect...
17 Jul 2026
Cybersecurity audit urged for nuclear installationsReports of a data leak at the Kudankulam nuclear plant have led to calls for a more transparent and robust cybersecurity framework for India's vital installations. Editorials emphasize that cybersecurity in nuclear plants is...
13 Jul 2026
European Union experts recommend strict age-verification to protect minors onlineAn expert panel commissioned by the European Commission has presented recommendations on protecting children from harmful social media content. Parallelly, Brussels announced that a dedicated age-check application is ready for rollout...
11 Jul 2026
TRAI Outlines Blocking Rules for 1600 and 140 Phone Call SeriesThe Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) clarified that phone calls originating from the newly assigned 1600 number series cannot be blocked by users. However, telemarketing calls originating from the 140 series can still be...
09 Jul 2026
PM Briefed on E-Zero FIRs and Cybercrime CrackdownPrime Minister Modi was briefed on the success of the E-Zero FIR system, which has reportedly saved citizens nearly 25,000 crore rupees by facilitating faster action against cybercrimes. The initiative allows for the immediate...
09 Jul 2026
Russia Deploys Electronic Jamming Against Ukrainian Starlink TerminalsRussian forces have increasingly deployed advanced electronic warfare systems to jam and disrupt SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet terminals used by the Ukrainian military. Starlink has been crucial for Ukraine's real-time...
08 Jul 2026
Combating Device Theft via CEIR PortalPolice departments across several districts, including Kurnool, have successfully returned hundreds of recovered mobile phones to citizens using the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal. Developed by the Department of...
08 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Warns Against AI-Fabricated Judicial PrecedentsThe Supreme Court cautioned legal practitioners against presenting artificial intelligence-fabricated case laws and precedents during court proceedings. The bench observed that generating fake judicial citations through generative tools...
07 Jul 2026
Government and WhatsApp Hold Talks on Username FeatureThe Union government has granted WhatsApp a short extension to reply to its notice regarding a new username feature that allows users to chat without sharing phone numbers. While WhatsApp assured that the feature will not be rolled out...
07 Jul 2026
US Cyber Agency Deploys AI for Government Code AuditsThe US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is utilizing Anthropic's advanced AI model, Mythos, to audit government software code and detect vulnerabilities. This marks one of the first major public admissions of a top...
06 Jul 2026
Vulnerabilities in E-Rickshaw Battery SystemsTechnical experts have highlighted design vulnerabilities in Bluetooth-based Battery Management Systems (BMS) used in e-rickshaws. These systems often lack proper authentication, allowing potential unauthorized access or 'hacks' that...
06 Jul 2026
Government Issues Stern Notice to Meta Over Instagram AdsThe Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a stern notice to Meta regarding child sexual abuse material (CSAM) appearing in Instagram advertisements. MeitY has ordered the platform to disable all ads and...
05 Jul 2026
IT Ministry Intensifies Anti-Piracy Pressure on TelegramThe Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has stepped up pressure on the messaging platform Telegram, demanding proactive mechanisms to prevent copyright infringement and digital piracy. Telegram has faced continuous scrutiny...
05 Jul 2026
MeitY Warns Meta Over Instagram Ads Promoting Child Sexual Abuse MaterialThe Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a stern notice to Meta, ordering it to immediately disable all advertisements and content promoting or facilitating access to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)...
04 Jul 2026
Safe Harbor and Intermediary Liability: I&B Ministry's Warning to TelegramThe Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a fresh notice to messaging platform Telegram, directing it to submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days regarding the unchecked proliferation of pirated copyright...
03 Jul 2026
Cyber-Security and Intermediary Liabilities: GoDaddy vs. Government CrackdownGlobal domain registrar GoDaddy has expressed legal concerns regarding the Indian government's intensive crackdown on fake and malicious brand-infringing websites. While supporting cyber-safety, the company argues that wholesale domain...
Practise Cyber Security
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 41).
Question 1 of 10
The Union Government's proposed strategy to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) safety and deepfakes relies on which of the following regulatory models?
Mains practice
Emerging non-traditional security risks, ranging from maritime threats and critical space infrastructure vulnerabilities to cyber risks and supply chain disruptions, pose severe challenges to developing nations. Discuss how India can balance domestic structural reforms with strategic multilateral partnerships to build resilience against these multifaceted threats.
15 marks
Balancing rapid infrastructural and technological expansion with ecological integrity, digital safety, and constitutional rights presents a complex governance challenge for India. Discuss this statement with reference to linear energy infrastructure in wildlife corridors, digital intermediary oversight, and the protection of fundamental liberties.
15 marks
Rapid technological and economic transitions in developing countries present twin challenges: leveraging digital and scientific innovation for growth while establishing robust regulatory and institutional safeguards. Analyze this statement with reference to India's recent developments in digital public infrastructure, cyber security, and public health governance.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.