In response to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cybercrimes, the Maharashtra Government has formed a 15-member task force to develop a comprehensive Cybersecurity Policy aimed at protecting the state’s IT and digital infrastructure.
Led by the Director of the Maharashtra Information Technology Directorate, the task force includes government officials and private-sector experts. State IT Minister Ashish Shelar highlighted the mission “Cyber Surakshit Maharashtra” as the guiding principle for the new Cybersecurity Policy 2025, which builds on the National Cybersecurity Policy 2013 and the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2020. The policy aims to create a robust cybersecurity ecosystem benefiting citizens, academia, industries, startups, and the government while supporting the growth of the cybersecurity industry through capacity building, skill development, innovation, and partnerships.
Shelar emphasized the policy’s importance, citing the growing role of technology in daily life and the need for robust measures against cybercrimes. With India’s digital economy valued at $600 billion, Maharashtra contributes significantly, with an estimated share exceeding Rs 6 lakh crore. The state’s citizen-centric approach offers nearly 800 online government services, necessitating robust cybersecurity measures.
This initiative follows the Maharashtra Cybersecurity Project launched last year, which aims to enhance the state’s cyber defenses using advanced technologies and improving law enforcement capabilities. The project focuses on recruiting and training approximately 17,000 police personnel to effectively tackle cyber threats.
State Home Department sources disclosed that Maharashtra currently operates 48 cyber police stations equipped with modern tools for investigating cybercrimes, with 3,253 police officers and staff trained in cybercrime investigation and detection.
