Measures Taken to Tackle Cyber Frauds

Key Highlights:

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has developed ASTR, an AI and big data analytics tool, which has led to the disconnection of over 88 lakh suspicious mobile connections by July 15, 2026.
• The Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal enables citizens to report suspected fraud communications.
• Based on 11.18 lakh citizen reports via Chakshu, 50.90 lakh mobile connections have been disconnected by July 15, 2026.
• DoT has also developed the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for information sharing with stakeholders like the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Over 50 entities regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have onboarded the DIP for enhanced information exchange.

Detailed Insights:

• ASTR leverages artificial intelligence and big data to proactively identify and disconnect mobile connections suspected of fraudulent activities.
• The Chakshu facility utilizes crowd-sourced data from citizens to analyze and pinpoint misuse of telecom resources, rather than just acting on individual reports.
• Cybercrime matters are allocated to the MHA under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.
• 'Police' and 'Public Order' are designated as State subjects under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• DIP facilitates bi-directional information sharing to prevent the misuse of telecom resources for cybercrimes and financial frauds.
• The Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, provided this information in the Rajya Sabha.

Key Concepts Involved:

• ASTR: An AI and big data analytics tool developed by DoT to identify and disconnect suspicious mobile connections.
• Chakshu: A facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal allowing citizens to report suspected fraudulent communication.
• Sanchar Saathi: A citizen-centric portal by DoT offering various services to enhance telecom security and prevent cyber fraud.
• Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP): A platform developed by DoT for bi-directional information sharing among stakeholders to combat cybercrimes.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): A nodal point under the MHA for coordinating efforts to combat cybercrime in India.