The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) jointly organized the Bharat National Cybersecurity Exercise 2025, a significant event focused on enhancing India's cybersecurity readiness. Concluding on August 1, 2025, the exercise involved over 600 participants from various sectors, including cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, defense personnel, academia, and industry leaders. This year's focus included Industrial Control Systems (ICS) security and AI-driven cyber threats, alongside modules on Security Operations Centers (SOC), API security, Reverse Engineering Malware Analysis (REMA), and Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR).
The Bharat CISOs Conclave and the BHARAT Cybersecurity Startup Exhibition complemented the exercise, fostering strategic dialogue and showcasing cybersecurity innovations. The Strategic Exercise (Stratex) segment tested interagency coordination and crisis management through simulated national-level cyber threat scenarios.
Shri T. V. Ravichandran, Deputy National Security Advisor, emphasized the need to integrate evolving cyber threats into national security frameworks. Major General Manjeet Singh, Joint Secretary Cyber, NSCS, analyzed lessons learned, highlighting emerging cyber threats and the need for adaptive defenses. Professor Kalpesh Wandra, Pro Vice-Chancellor of RRU, underscored academia's role in advancing national cybersecurity capabilities. Colonel Debashish Bose, Director NSCS, acknowledged the contributions of participants and RRU. The exercise concluded with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and strengthened national preparedness for a secure digital India. Release ID: 2151613.
Key Entities Referenced
National Security Council Secretariat: An Indian government agency that organized the National Cybersecurity Exercise 2025.
Bharat National Cybersecurity Exercise 2025: A cybersecurity exercise organized by the National Security Council Secretariat and Rashtriya Raksha University.
Rashtriya Raksha University: An Indian national security university that co-organized the National Cybersecurity Exercise 2025.
Industrial Control Systems: A specific area of focus within the cybersecurity exercise, highlighting the importance of securing critical infrastructure.
T. V. Ravichandran: Deputy National Security Advisor of India and Chief Guest at the closing address of the exercise.
Major General Manjeet Singh: Joint Secretary Cyber, NSCS, who provided an analysis of the lessons learned from the cybersecurity exercise.
Professor Kalpesh Wandra: Pro Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University, who spoke on the role of academia in national cybersecurity.
Delhi: The location where press release was issued.
National Security Council Secretariat
National Cybersecurity Exercise 2025 Concludes
with Strategic Focus on Emerging Threats
Posted On: 01 AUG 2025 9:36PM by PIB Delhi
The Bharat National Cybersecurity Exercise 2025, organized jointly by the National Security Council
Secretariat (NSCS) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), concluded successfully as a landmark event
in India’s cybersecurity landscape, bringing together over 600 participants including cybersecurity
professionals, policymakers, defense personnel, academicians, and industry leaders. This year’s exercise
incorporated a dedicated focus on Industrial Control Systems (ICS) security and AI-driven cyber threats such
as adversarial attacks and deepfake manipulation, alongside core modules covering Security Operations
Centers (SOC), API security, Reverse Engineering Malware Analysis (REMA), and Digital Forensics and
Incident Response (DFIR).
Complementing the exercise, the Bharat CISOs Conclave and the BHARAT Cybersecurity Startup
Exhibition served as vital platforms for strategic dialogue, enabling the exchange of knowledge and
showcasing cutting-edge innovations that are poised to strengthen India’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
The Strategic Exercise (Stratex) segment rigorously tested inter-agency coordination, crisis management,
and real-time response capabilities through simulated national-level cyber threat scenarios. This component
was instrumental in bolstering situational awareness and enhancing collective cyber defense readiness.
Shri T. V. Ravichandran, Deputy National Security Advisor and esteemed Chief Guest, delivered a
compelling closing address. He emphasized the critical necessity of incorporating evolving cyber threat
paradigms into national security frameworks. Shri Ravichandran called for steadfast commitment, enhanced
synergy across agencies, and continuous innovation to safeguard the nation’s digital sovereignty in the face of
increasingly sophisticated cyber challenges.
Major General Manjeet Singh, Joint Secretary (Cyber), NSCS, shared an in-depth analysis of the lessons
learnt from the exercise, highlighting emerging trends in cyber threats and the imperative to build adaptive,
resilient defenses. He stressed the importance of sustained capacity building, threat intelligence sharing, and
the adoption of advanced technologies to stay ahead of adversaries.
Professor Kalpesh Wandra, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University, reflected on the essential
role of academia in advancing national cybersecurity capabilities. He emphasized that nurturing innovation,
research, and interdisciplinary collaboration will be key drivers in developing a robust cybersecurity
workforce equipped to tackle future challenges.
Colonel Debashish Bose, Director NSCS, extended a heartfelt Vote of Thanks, acknowledging the tireless
efforts of all participants, partner organizations, and especially Rashtriya Raksha University for their
instrumental role in hosting and supporting the exercise. He praised the collective dedication and
professionalism that made the event a resounding success.
As National Cybersecurity Exercise 2025 concludes, the event leaves behind a legacy of collaboration,
innovation, and strengthened national preparedness, paving the way for a secure and self-reliant digital India.***
MJPS
(Release ID: 2151613)