Government made a big change in the responsibilities of many departments including telecom-cyber
GoI: The Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications will now oversee telecommunication network security. At the same time, all issues related to cybercrime will now come under the Department of Internal Security under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Government of India has allocated responsibilities related to the security of telecommunication network, cyber security and cybercrime to its various departments. Information to this effect was given after amendment of the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961 of the Government of India through a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat last Friday night. Amendment was done under clause three of Article 77 of the Constitution.
Where telecommunication network security is concerned, the task will fall within the ambit of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications. The Government of India's amendments to the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961, specifically add this responsibility into the mandates of the Ministry of Communications by bringing it in under the head Ministry of Communications in the Second List.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will assist the other central ministries and departments on such aspects pertaining to cyber security. This role has been mentioned in the Information Technology Act, 2000, amended from time to time. The new responsibilities are listed under Entry 5B under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in the second list.
This makes all issues related to cybercrime come under the Department of Internal Security within the Ministry of Home Affairs. Added as Entry 36A under the Ministry of Home Affairs in the second list, the department will be dealing with all aspects related to cybercrime.
The NSCS works under the Prime Minister's Office for overall coordination and provides strategic direction on cybersecurity. To be noted, National Security Council Secretariat, Entry 3, is mandated for this role. It is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval serves as its Secretary.
The NSCS acts as the apex body on all internal and external security-related matters of the country. These newly defined roles form part of the Allocation of Business Three Hundred and Fifty-Seventh Amendment Rules, 2024 of the Government of India. These Rules will come into effect immediately.
