Syllabus: GS-III & V: Internal Security

Why in the News?

Assam has recorded more than 18,315 cybercrime arrests since 2014, but also witnessed a sharp decline of over 81% in cases between 2021 and 2023, marking a major shift in digital policing strategies.

Understanding the Rise of Cybercrime in Assam

Cybercrime has emerged as one of Assam’s most pressing internal security challenges. Increasing use of smartphones, rapid digital payments, and exploitation of social engineering have made citizens, especially first-time internet users, highly vulnerable.

Key types of cybercrime reported in Assam

• ATM and banking fraud
  
• Identity theft and forged Aadhaar/PAN
  
• Fake SIM cards and KYC misuse
  
• Circulation of obscene material
  
• Child sexual content
  
• OTP and UPI-based fraud
  
• Impersonation through social media
  

Cybercrime is no longer restricted to major cities—smaller towns and semi-urban belts are equally affected.

Reasons Behind the Rise

• Expansion of online transactions and digital banking
  
• Weak digital literacy in rural areas
  
• Multiple organised fraud networks operating inter-state
  
• Increased data sharing through unsecured apps
  
• Dependency on mobile-based financial systems
  

Government Response and Reforms

Assam’s progress is linked to a coordinated and multi-layered approach.

Major initiatives taken

• Cybercrime helpline 1930 made operational statewide
• Implementation of the National Cyber Security Policy
• Two dedicated Cyber Police Stations are operational in the State at CID and Guwahati City.
• Two Cyber Police outposts have been established-Dibrugarh & Cachar district. 
• Assam Police has finalised plans to set up a Regional Cyber Crime Coordination Centre in Assam. 
  • It would be funded by the Government of India.
• Use of data tracking tools for real-time blocking of payment transactions
• Improved inter-State investigation under National Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (NCCC)
• Enhanced response capacity under Computer Emergency Response Team–India (CERT-In)

Impact of State-Level Efforts

Sharp reduction in cybercrime numbers

• 4,846 cases in 2021
  
• 1,733 cases in 2022
  
• 909 cases in 2023
  

This more than 81% decline is one of the steepest in India.

Why numbers are declining

• Quick complaint redressal through 1930
  
• Blocking of fraudulent accounts within hours
  
• Digital awareness drives led by Assam Police
  
• Tracking repeated offenders across states
  
• Strengthening of online fraud monitoring cells
  

Campaigns such as Cyber Surakshya, school outreach teams, and multilingual advisories have helped bring vulnerable groups under awareness programs.

Persistent Challenges

Even with improvements, structural gaps remain serious.

Key concerns

• Only 14% charge-sheet rate (2022)
  
• Conviction rate is around 4%, among lowest in India
  
• Nearly 90% of registered cases remain pending trial
  
• Many fraudsters operate from outside Assam or abroad
  
• Lack of digital forensics capacity at local police stations
  

Delayed investigation often leads to failure in recovering stolen money.

Way Forward

To sustain progress, reforms must move beyond policing.

What Assam needs now

• Increase specialised cyber police stations
  
• Train investigators in digital forensics
  
• Fast-track cybercrime courts
  
• Expand awareness to rural belts
  
• Collaborate with banks and payment gateways for rapid blocking
  
• Promote cyber safety education in schools and colleges
  
• Partner with NGOs and tech platforms for victim support
  

Cyber security demands not just enforcement but collective vigilance and ethical online behaviour.

Conclusion

Assam’s experience shows that cybercrime response must combine technology, law enforcement, public awareness, and judicial reforms. The decline in cases is encouraging, yet, a digitally secure future depends on informed citizens, quick investigations, and stronger prosecution mechanisms.

Cybercrime is not merely a financial threat—it affects identity, dignity, mental health, and trust in digital systems. Effective governance will decide how safely Assam moves into an increasingly digital world.

Exam Hook – Key Takeaways 

Discuss the rise of cybercrime in Assam, state-level digital interventions such as helpline-1930, NCCC and CERT-In, declining crime trends, low conviction rate challenges, and the urgent need for forensic investigation capacity, special courts, and grassroots digital literacy.

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