#FactCheck: Viral video of Unrest in Kenya is being falsely linked with J&K

Introduction 

India has always been celebrated as the land of abundance, once known as the ‘golden bird’ that attracted the world with its prosperity and wisdom. In the current century, as the world moves deeper into the age where every nation is redefining its strength through advancements in every sector, including technology, India is preparing for a powerful transformation. “Viksit Bharat 2047” is an initiative aimed at achieving  India's aspiration of becoming a developed nation by its centennial year of independence. India’s growth story is shifting as it takes a step towards development in every field and advances progress both in terms of generating economic growth and breakthroughs in technologies across industries. 

Today, when technology touches every aspect of our lives, ‘Cyber Security’ becomes a key area that will significantly drive progress and hold strong importance under the Viksit Bharat vision, especially with the rise of emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, cryptography, 5G & 6G, robotics and automation, Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR) & virtual reality (VR) etc. 

Key Initiatives Taken by the Centre

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre: 

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) was established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to provide a framework for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to deal with cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. I4C is actively working on initiatives to combat emerging threats in cyberspace, and it has become a strong pillar of India’s cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention. The ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’, equipped with a 24x7 cybercrime helpline number 1930,  is one of the key components of the I4C.

Recently under I4C, key initiatives were launched to strengthen cybersecurity. The Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) has been incorporated to bring together banks, financial institutions, telecom companies, Internet Service Providers, and law enforcement agencies on a single platform to tackle online financial crimes efficiently. The Cyber Commandos Program will establish a specialised wing of trained Cyber Commandos in states, Union Territories, and Central Police Organisations to counter rising cyber threats. The Samanvay platform, a web-based Joint Cybercrime Investigation Facility System, has been introduced as a one-stop data repository for cybercrime to foster data sharing and collaboration. The Suspect Registry Portal, connected to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), has been designed to track cybercriminals and strengthen fraud risk management.

India’s AI Mission:-

The Indian Cabinet has approved a comprehensive national-level IndiaAI Mission. The mission aims to strengthen the Indian AI innovation ecosystem by democratizing computing access, improving data quality, developing indigenous AI capabilities, attracting top AI talent, enabling industry collaboration, providing startup risk capital, ensuring socially impactful AI projects, and bolstering ethical AI. Through India AI Mission, the government is facilitating the development of India’s own foundational models, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and problem-specific AI solutions tailored to Indian needs.

The mission is implemented by the 'IndiaAI' Independent Business Division (IBD) under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) and consists of several components, such as IndiaAI Compute Capacity, IndiaAI Innovation Centre (IAIC), IndiaAI Datasets Platform, IndiaAI Application Development Initiative, IndiaAI Future Skills, IndiaAI Startup Financing, and Safe & Trusted AI. The main objective is to create and nurture an ecosystem for India’s AI innovation. 

Startup India:-  

With more than 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of January 15, 2025, India has firmly established itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. Startup India is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India on 16th January 2016 to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country, which will drive economic growth and generate large-scale employment opportunities.

Key Regulations:-

‍The Centre, in order to better regulate the cyber domain, has come up with significant regulations. To protect the personal data of citizens, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 has been enacted. The Intermediary Guidelines 2021 lay down obligations on social media platforms and intermediaries to ensure accountability and user safety. The Telecommunications Act 2023 has also been enacted. Further, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, passed by Parliament on 21st August 2025, aims to address related concerns. In addition, Cert-In issues guidelines & advisories from time to time, in order to strengthen cybersecurity.

CyberPeace Outlook 

CyberPeace has been at the forefront in transforming policy, technology, and ethical growth in the cyber landscape through its key initiatives. In 2023, CyberPeace hosted the Global CyberPeace Summit in collaboration with Civil 20 and G20 India, with knowledge support from the United Service Institution of India and participation from MeitY, NCIIPC, CERT-In, Zoom, Meta, InMobi, ICANN, Internet Society, MANRS, APNIC, and leading universities, which helped shape critical global conversations on trust, safety, and collaboration in cyberspace. 

Viksit Bharat 2047 is more than just a vision for economic success; it is a pledge to create a nation that is technologically secure, resilient, and globally competitive.  In this journey, cybersecurity will be at the heart of India's digital reboot, securing its innovation, empowering its citizens, and ensuring its future.

References

• https://www.cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/i4c-foundation-day-celebration-shri-amit-shah-launches-key-initiatives-to-tackle-cybercrime
• https://www.cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/indiaai-mission
• https://bharatarticles.com/viksit-bharat-2047-vision-challenges-and-roadmap-to-a-developed-india/
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2012355‍
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2093125

‍

Introduction

In a groundbreaking move, India's Reserve Bank has embarked on a transformative journey with its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) project. As the world grapples with the evolving landscape of digital finance, the implications of India's CBDC initiative extend beyond its borders, potentially reshaping global payment systems. The Union Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, revealed that on October 7, 2022, the Reserve Bank of India released a proposal note on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Two pilot projects using blockchain-based technology are described in the concept note: Digital Rupee-Wholesale (e₹-W) and Digital Rupee-Retail (e₹-R). Launched on November 1, 2022, the bulk trading pilot aims to increase intermediary competitiveness, particularly in the resolution of trades in the secondary market involving sovereign debt. In parallel, on December 1, 2022, the retail banking pilot, known as e₹-R, got underway in a limited user group with eight banks taking part in stages.

The digital asset known as e₳-R is issued across financial institutions for Person-to-Person (P2P) and Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions. It is intended to serve as a virtual currency that represents legal money and exhibits characteristics similar to actual cash. Based on input gathered during the continuing trial phases, the RBI intends to progressively broaden the pilot project's scope.

Central Bank Digital Currency Pilot Projects

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), which the Central Bank of India is promoting, may easily perform an essential part in payments made across borders, according to Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das. The CBDC is going to be expanded to the international financial markets after being implemented as a trial in both the retail and wholesale industries.

CBDC in International Payments

He emphasized that although physical currency will still exist, the CBDC will eventually replace all forms of money worldwide.  

"CBDC is going to be the future currency of the world and it is necessary that every central bank, every country works on CBDC," he stated. He also stated that as worldwide commerce moves more and more around science and technology, CBDCs will play a significant role since they can effectively and affordably speed up payment processing across different countries. Regarding India's foreign exchange reserves, the governor stated that the selection to increase the resources as a safety net and protection versus contagion possibilities was made consciously.

CBDCs' Place in the Transnational Economic Revolution

In certain economies worldwide, having a CBDC internationally accessible could lead to more replacements for foreign currencies rather than the home currencies, which could cause financial aggregates to become volatile and change the mix of instruments of exchange.

CBDC may have benefits related to first-mover savings of scale, and other consequences even in everyday circumstances. If nations with global currencies have established CBDCs, they could strengthen current advantages and disadvantages, including consequences, particularly in terms of revenue. In a similar vein, CBDC might alter the structure of international liquidity while safeguarding asset supply. Additionally, and particularly if imposed abruptly, CBDC may, in certain circumstances, result in significant capital movements and associated repercussions on the foreign exchange rate as well as additional asset prices. Furthermore, nations may encounter difficulties in getting ready for virtual currencies issued by central banks.

The worldwide and international scope of CBDCs accessible to immigrants may become particularly apparent in situations where there is a widespread flight safety concern. In these circumstances, converting a CBDC into a foreign currency would make it possible for capital markets to deleverage more quickly. The elimination of debt challenges could show up as tight finance constraints and abrupt swings in foreign exchange markets if CBDCS expedited its flight from uncertainty.

Deposits of Foreign Exchange and Self-Dependency

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das stated "We must rely on ourselves. We must maintain our robust reserves. In order to achieve that goal, we have been amassing quite substantial reserves, and the outside world has come to feel quite confident that India would be able to fulfil its contractual responsibilities to the international community no matter what the obstacles," 

Involvement of RBI in the Currency Market

Given that the trading community was confident that the Reserve Bank of India would be capable of and able to fulfil its contractual responsibilities, the value of the Indian rupee did not decline as dramatically. The RBI governor stated that the RBI does participate in the economy, but that "our engagement operates in two ways," he would not hesitate to acknowledge this.

The Value of Macroeconomic and Budgetary Cooperation

According to RBI Governor Das, the RBI makes purchases and sales of dollars based on the direction in which the financial sector is trending. However, the RBI does not intend to set a certain level for the rupee because it does not consider any specific threshold for the Indian rupee's conversion rate against the US dollar. He also emphasized how crucial it is for both the financial and monetary authorities to work together.

Conclusion

India's CBDC project signals a transformative shift in the global digital finance landscape. Governor Shaktikanta Das envisions CBDCs as the future global currency, emphasizing their role in international payments. The potential impact on financial systems, cross-border transactions, and the need for self-reliance underscore the significance of India's CBDC initiative in shaping the evolving dynamics of the digital economy. As the project progresses, close cooperation between financial and monetary authorities becomes imperative for navigating the challenges and opportunities associated with this groundbreaking venture.

References

• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/central-bank-digital-currency-can-play-important-role-in-cross-border-payment-rbi-guv/articleshow/104706717.cms
• https://www.bis.org/cpmi/publ/d174.pdf
• https://bfsi.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/fintech/explained-how-rbi-is-leveraging-upi-to-push-the-use-of-retail-cbdc/103591989
• https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/02/09/sp020922-the-future-of-money-gearing-up-for-central-bank-digital-currency
• https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/cbdc-pilot-projects-show-promising-results-rbi-governor-shaktikanta-das-123102601171_1.html

Introduction

A policy, no matter how artfully conceived, is like a timeless idiom, its truth self-evident, its purpose undeniable, standing in silent witness before those it vows to protect, yet trapped in the stillness of inaction, where every moment of delay erodes the very justice it was meant to serve. This is the case of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which holds in its promise a resolution to all the issues related to data protection and a protection framework at par with GDPR and Global Best Practices. While debates on its substantive efficacy are inevitable, its execution has emerged as a site of acute contention. The roll-out and the decision-making have been making headlines since late July on various fronts. The government is being questioned by industry stakeholders, media and independent analysts on certain grounds, be it “slow policy execution”, “centralisation of power” or “arbitrary amendments”. The act is now entrenched in a never-ending dilemma of competing interests under the DPDP Act.

The change to the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005, made possible by Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act, has become a focal point of debate. This amendment is viewed by some as an attack on weakening the hard-won transparency architecture of Indian democracy by substituting an absolute exemption for personal information for the “public interest override” in Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. 

The Lag Ledger: Tracking the Delays in DPDP Enforcement 

As per a news report of July 28, 2025, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Communications Technology has expressed its concern over the delayed implementation and has urged the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to ensure that data privacy is adequately ensured in the nation. In the report submitted to the Lok Sabha on July 24, the committee reviewed the government’s reaction to the previous recommendations and concluded that MeitY had only been able to hold nine consultations and twenty awareness workshops about the Draft DPDP Rules, 2025. In addition, four brainstorming sessions with academic specialists were conducted to examine the needs for research and development. The ministry acknowledges that this is a specialised field that urgently needs industrial involvement. Another news report dated 30th July, 2025, of a day-long consultation held where representatives from civil society groups, campaigns, social movements, senior lawyers, retired judges, journalists, and lawmakers participated on the contentious and chilling effects of the Draft Rules that were notified in January this year. The organisers said in a press statement the DPDP Act may have a negative impact on the freedom of the press and people’s right to information and the activists, journalists, attorneys, political parties, groups and organisations “who collect, analyse, and disseminate critical information as they become ‘data fiduciaries’ under the law.” 

The DPDP Act has thus been caught up in an uncomfortable paradox: praised as a significant legislative achievement for India’s digital future, but caught in a transitional phase between enactment and enforcement, where every day not only postpones protection but also feeds worries about the dwindling amount of room for accountability and transparency. 

The Muzzling Effect: Diluting Whistleblower Protections

The DPDP framework raises a number of subtle but significant issues, one of which is the possibility that it would weaken safeguards for whistleblowers. Critics argue that the Act runs the risk of trapping journalists, activists, and public interest actors who handle sensitive material while exposing wrongdoing because it expands the definition of “personal data” and places strict compliance requirements on “data fiduciaries.”One of the most important checks on state overreach may be silenced if those who speak truth to power are subject to legal retaliation in the absence of clear exclusions of robust public-interest protections.

Noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan has criticised the law for failing to protect whistleblowers, warning that “If someone exposes corruption and names officials, they could now be prosecuted for violating the DPDP Act.”

Consent Management under the DPDP Act

In June 2025, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under MeitY released a Business Requirement Document (BRD) for developing consent management systems under the DPDP Act, 2023. The document supports the idea of “Consent Manager”, which acts as a single point of contact between Data Principals and Data Fiduciaries. This idea is fundamental to the Act, which is now being operationalised with the help of MeitY’s “Code for Consent: The DPDP Innovation Challenge.” The government has established a collaborative ecosystem to construct consent management systems (CMS) that can serve as a single, standardised interface between Data Principals and Data Fiduciaries by choosing six distinct entities, such as Jio Platforms, IDfy, and Zoop. Such a framework could enable people to have meaningful control over their personal data, lessen consent fatigue, and move India’s consent architecture closer to international standards if it is implemented precisely and transparently. 

There is no debate to the importance of this development however, there are various concerns associated with this advancement that must be considered. Although effective, a centralised consent management system may end up being a single point of failure in terms of political overreach and technical cybersecurity flaws. Concerns are raised over the concentration of power over the framing, seeking, and recording of consent when big corporate entities like Jio are chosen as key innovators. Critics contend that the organisations responsible for generating revenue from user data should not be given the responsibility for designing the gatekeeping systems. Furthermore, the CMS can create opaque channels for data access, compromising user autonomy and whistleblower protections, in the absence of strong safeguards, transparency mechanisms and independent oversight. 

Conclusion

Despite being hailed as a turning point in India’s digital governance, the DPDP Act is still stuck in a delayed and unequal transition from promise to reality. Its goals are indisputable, but so are the conundrum it poses to accountability, openness, and civil liberties. Every delay increases public mistrust, and every safeguard that remains unsolved. The true test of a policy intended to safeguard the digital rights of millions lies not in how it was drafted, but in the integrity, pace, and transparency with which it is to be implemented. In the digital age, the true cost of delay is measured not in time, but in trust. CyberPeace calls for transparent, inclusive, and timely execution that balances innovation with the protection of digital rights.

References

• https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/parliamentary-committee-raises-concern-with-meity-over-dpdp-act-implementation-lag-77105.htm 
• https://thewire.in/law/excessive-centralisation-of-power-lawyers-activists-journalists-mps-express-fear-on-dpdp-act
• https://www.medianama.com/2025/08/223-jio-idfy-meity-consent-management-systems-dpdpa/ ‍
• https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/centre-refuses-to-amend-dpdp-act-to-protect-journalists-whistleblowers-and-rti-activists