#FactCheck - AI Manipulated image showing Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant dressed in golden outfits.

Introduction

Cybersecurity remains a crucial component in the modern digital era, considering the growing threat landscape caused by our increased reliance on technology and the internet. The Karnataka Government introduced a new ‘Cyber Security Policy 2024’ to address increasing cybercrimes and enhance protection measures for the State's digital infrastructure through awareness, skill development, public-private collaborations, and technology integration. Officials stated that the policy highlights various important aspects including raising awareness and providing education, developing skills, supporting the industry and start-ups, as well as forming partnerships and collaborations for enhancing capacity.

Key Highlights

• The policy consists of two components. The initial segment emphasizes creating a robust cyber security environment involving various sectors such as the public, academia, industry, start-ups, and government. The second aspect of the policy aims to enhance the cybersecurity status of the State's IT resources. Although the initial section will be accessible to the public, the second portion will be restricted to the state's IT teams and departments for their IT implementation.
• The Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (e-Governance),and the Home Department, in collaboration with stakeholders from government and private sectors, have collectively formulated this policy. The Indian Institute of Science, the main institute for the state's K-tech Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security (CySecK), also examined the policy.
• The Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (e-Governance),and the Home Department, in collaboration with stakeholders from government and private sectors, have collectively formulated this policy. The Indian Institute of Science, the main institute for the state's K-tech Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security (CySecK), also examined the policy.
• Approximately ₹103.87 crore will be spent over five years to implement the policy, which would be fulfilled from the budget allocated to the Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology and Science & Technology. A total of ₹23.74 crore would be allocated for offering incentives and concessions.
• The policy focuses on key pillars of building awareness and skills, promoting research and innovation, promoting industry and start-ups, partnerships and collaborations for capacity building.
• Karnataka-based undergraduate and postgraduate interns will receive a monthly stipend of INR 10,000- Rs15,000 fora maximum duration of three months under the internship program. The goal is to support 600 interns at the undergraduate level and 120 interns at the post-graduate level within the policy timeframe.
• Karnataka-based start-ups collaborating with academic institutes can receive matching grants of up to 50% of the total R&D cost for cybersecurity projects, or a maximum of ₹50 lakh.
• Reimbursement will be provided for expenses up to a maximum of INR 1 Lakh for start-ups registered with Karnataka Start-up Cell who engage CERT-In empanelled service providers from Karnataka for cyber security audit.
• The Karnataka government has partnered with Meta to raise awareness on cyber security. By reaching out to educational institutions, schools and colleges, it is piloted to provide training to 1 lakh teachers and educate 1 million children on online safety.

CyberPeace Policy Wing Outlook

The Cyber Security Policy, 2024 launched by the Karnataka government is a testament to the state government's commitment to strengthening the cyber security posture and establishing cyber resilience. By promoting and supporting research and development projects, supporting startups, and providing skill training internships, and capacity building at a larger scale, the policy will serve asa positive step in countering the growing cyber threats and establishing a peaceful digital environment for all. The partnership and collaboration with tech companies will be instrumental in implementing the capacity-building initiatives aimed at building cognitive and skill defenses while navigating the digital world. The policy will inspire other state governments in their policy initiatives for building safe and secure cyber-infrastructure in the states by implementing strategies tailored to the specific needs and demands of each state in building safe digital infrastructure and environment.

References:

• https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/karnataka-govt-launches-new-cyber-security-policy-amid-frequent-scams-101722598078117.html
• https://ciso.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/grc/karnataka-govt-launches-new-cyber-security-policy/112214121
• https://cybermithra.in/2024/08/09/karnataka-cyber-security-policy/

• https://itbtst.karnataka.gov.in/storage/pdf-files/ITBT48ADM2021EngCABINET-GO.pdf

Executive Summary:

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Social media has been overwhelmed by a viral post that claims Indian Railways is beginning to install solar panels directly on railway tracks all over the country for renewable energy purposes. The claim also purports that India will become the world's first country to undertake such a green effort in railway systems. Our research involved extensive reverse image searching, keyword analysis, government website searches, and global media verification. We found the claim to be completely false. The viral photos and information are all incorrectly credited to India. The images are actually from a pilot project by a Swiss start-up called Sun-Ways.

Claim:

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According to a viral post on social media, Indian Railways has started an all-India initiative to install solar panels directly on railway tracks to generate renewable energy, limit power expenses, and make global history in environmentally sustainable rail operations.

Fact check:

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We did a reverse image search of the viral image and were soon directed to international media and technology blogs referencing a project named Sun-Ways, based in Switzerland. The images circulated on Indian social media were the exact ones from the Sun-Ways pilot project, whereby a removable system of solar panels is being installed between railway tracks in Switzerland to evaluate the possibility of generating energy from rail infrastructure.

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We also thoroughly searched all the official Indian Railways websites, the Ministry of Railways news article, and credible Indian media. At no point did we locate anything mentioning Indian Railways engaging or planning something similar by installing solar panels on railway tracks themselves.

Indian Railways has been engaged in green energy initiatives beyond just solar panel installation on program rooftops, and also on railway land alongside tracks and on train coach roofs. However, Indian Railways have never installed solar panels on railway tracks in India. Meanwhile, we found a report of solar panel installations on the train launched on 14th July 2025, first solar-powered DEMU (diesel electrical multiple unit) train from the Safdarjung railway station in Delhi. The train will run from Sarai Rohilla in Delhi to Farukh Nagar in Haryana. A total of 16 solar panels, each producing 300 Wp, are fitted in six coaches. 

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We also found multiple links to support our claim from various media links: Euro News, World Economy Forum, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, and  NDTV.   

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Conclusion:

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After extensive research conducted through several phases including examining facts and some technical facts, we can conclude that the claim that Indian Railways has installed solar panels on railway tracks is false. The concept and images originate from Sun-Ways, a Swiss company that was testing this concept in Switzerland, not India. 

Indian Railways continues to use renewable energy in a number of forms but has not put any solar panels on railway tracks. We want to highlight how important it is to fact-check viral content and other unverified content.

• Claim: India’s solar track project will help Indian Railways run entirely on renewable energy.‍
• Claimed On: Social Media‍
• Fact Check: False and Misleading

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On 22nd October 2024, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister for Communications, launched the (DoT) Department of Telecoms’ International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System. This was introduced in light of efforts toward preventing international fraudulent calls that enable cyber crimes. A recent report as per PIB claims for the system to have been effective and played a role in a 90% reduction in the number of spoofed international calls, its instances falling from 1.35 Crore to 6 Lakhs within two months of the launch of the system.

International spoof calls are calls that masquerade as numbers originating from within the country when displayed on the target's mobile screen. This is done by manipulating the calling line identity or the CLI, commonly known as the phone number. Previous cases reported mention that such spoof calls have been used for conducting financial scams, impersonating government officials to carry out digital arrests, and inducing panic. Instances of threats of disconnecting numbers by TRAI officials, and narcotics officials on finding drugs or even contraband through couriers are also rampant. 

International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System 

As was addressed in the Budget in 2024, the system was previously called the Centralised International Out Roamer (CIOR), and the DoT was allocated Rs.38.76 crore for the same. The Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) under the DoT is another project that aims to investigate and research fraudulent use of telecom resources, including messages, scams, and spam - the budget for which has been increased from 50 to 85 crores.

The International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System was implemented in two phases, the first one was at the level of the telephone companies (telcos). Telcos can verify their subscribers and Indian SIMs based on the Indian Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) international long-distance (ILD) network. When a user with an Indian number travels abroad, the roaming feature gets activated, and all calls hit the ILD network of the TSP. This allows the TSP to verify whether the numbers starting with +91 are genuinely making calls from abroad or from India. However, a TSP can only verify numbers that are issued with their TSP ILD network and not those of other TSPs. This issue was addressed in the second phase, as the DIU of DoT and the TSPs built an integrated system so that a centralised database could be used to check for genuine subscribers. 

CyberPeace Outlook

A press release on 23rd December 2024 encouraged the TSPs to label incoming International calls as International calls on the mobile screen of the receiver. Some of them have already started adding labels and are sending awareness messages informing their subscribers of tips on staying safe from scams. Apart from these, there are also applications available online that help in identifying callers and their location, however, these are at the behest of the users' efforts and have moderate trust value. At the level of the public, the practice of blocking unknown international numbers and not calling back, along with awareness regarding country codes is encouraged. Coordinated and updated efforts on the part of the Government and the TSPs are much appreciated in today's time as scammers continue to find new ways to commit cyber crimes using telecommunication resources.

References

1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jyotiraditya-scindia-launches-dot-system-to-block-spam-international-calls-101729615441509.html
2. https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/centre-launches-system-to-block-international-spoofed-calls-curb-fraud-124102300449_1.html
3. https://www.opindia.com/2024/12/number-of-spoofed-international-calls-used-in-cyber-crimes-goes-down-by-90-in-2-months/
4. https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/telecom/telecom-department-anti-spoofed-international-calls-19529459.htm
5. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2067113
6. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2087644
7. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/display-international-call-for-calls-from-abroad-to-curb-scams-dot-to-telecos-101735050551449.html 

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