India has launched a nationwide cybersecurity awareness initiative aimed at helping citizens recognise emerging online threats, including artificial intelligence (AI)-powered impersonation, malicious mobile applications and digital arrest scams.
The month-long campaign, titled “Be Cyber Street Smart,” has been introduced by the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) as part of Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026. It brings together government agencies, financial institutions, technology companies and other organisations to encourage safer digital behaviour.
The initiative focuses on practical steps that people can apply while using smartphones, social media, email, online banking and digital payment platforms.
Campaign Uses Traditional Storytelling to Explain Digital Risks
The initiative aims to make cybersecurity easier to understand by combining modern safety messages with familiar communication methods.
One of its distinctive features is the use of Kathputli, India’s traditional string-puppet storytelling art. The approach seeks to translate technical cybersecurity concepts into relatable messages that people can understand and remember.
The campaign was inaugurated at the Bombay Stock Exchange in the presence of Maharashtra Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar and representatives from financial market institutions and cybersecurity-related government departments.
The launch also featured BSE’s “Ring the Bell” ceremony and the introduction of a Cyber Anthem to support the awareness drive.
AI Voice Cloning and Deepfakes Among Key Concerns
A central focus of the campaign is the growing sophistication of digital fraud. Criminals can exploit technology and social engineering to make false identities, messages and requests appear credible.
The awareness initiative highlights several major risks:
- AI voice-cloning scams: Fraudsters may imitate a familiar person’s voice to create a convincing but false request.
- Real-time deepfakes: Manipulated audio or video can be used to impersonate individuals during digital interactions.
- Malicious APK files: Untrusted Android application packages may expose users to harmful software or attempts to compromise their devices.
- Digital arrest scams: Criminals may impersonate law-enforcement officials and use threats or fabricated legal claims to pressure victims.
- Email, social media and payment fraud: Deceptive communications can encourage users to share sensitive information, transfer money or install unsafe applications.
The campaign’s emphasis on these threats reflects the need for people to assess digital requests carefully rather than relying solely on familiar voices, images or official-looking messages.
Multiple Formats to Take Cyber Safety to the Public
The campaign will use a range of communication formats to make its messages accessible and shareable. These include educational posters, infographics, digital screensavers, stickers, storytelling initiatives and learning materials under programmes such as Cyber Pathshala ki Kitaab.
The formats are intended to carry cybersecurity guidance into everyday settings rather than limiting awareness efforts to technical publications or specialist training.
By using simple explanations and culturally familiar storytelling, the initiative aims to help people identify warning signs before they respond to suspicious messages, download applications or approve digital transactions.
Government Agencies and Private Organisations Join the Initiative
The campaign has support from several public institutions, including CERT-In, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Government of Maharashtra.
Financial institutions, technology businesses, cybersecurity companies and educational organisations are also participating. The organisations named in the initiative include Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Punjab National Bank, PayPal, CRED, IIFL Finance, Thales, Veeam, BSE and several technology and cybersecurity firms.
Such collaboration can help expand the reach of awareness messages across the different digital services used by consumers and businesses.
For organisations handling customer information, financial transactions and digital records, cybersecurity awareness is also part of broader risk management. Appropriate financial investigation and review processes can support the examination of suspicious financial activity when concerns arise, although these are distinct from preventive cybersecurity measures.
Simple Digital Habits Remain Important
Public awareness campaigns can help people understand emerging threats, but everyday precautions remain essential. Users should download applications only from trusted sources, review app permissions, keep devices updated and avoid sharing passwords, verification codes or banking credentials.
Requests involving urgent payments, threats of immediate legal action or unusual instructions from someone claiming to be a relative or official should be independently verified through a trusted communication channel.
People should also be cautious about treating audio and video as conclusive proof of identity. As AI-generated content becomes more convincing, independent verification can be an important safeguard.
Anyone who suspects cyber fraud should preserve relevant messages and transaction records, contact their bank or payment provider promptly where financial activity is involved, and report the incident through official cybercrime reporting channels.
Why the Campaign Matters
India’s expanding use of digital payments, mobile applications and online services makes cybersecurity awareness relevant to a broad section of the population. At the same time, techniques such as voice cloning, manipulated video and deceptive application downloads create new challenges for consumers.
“Be Cyber Street Smart” seeks to address this changing environment by connecting modern cybersecurity risks with practical guidance that people can use in daily life.
The campaign’s effectiveness will depend not only on the reach of its messages but also on whether users adopt safer habits and verify suspicious requests before acting. As digital fraud methods evolve, regular awareness and responsible online behaviour remain important parts of protecting individuals and the wider digital ecosystem.