Parliamentary Committee Calls for Strengthened Cybersecurity and Digital Infrastructure Funding
A parliamentary committee has issued a strong recommendation to bolster institutional capacity in cybersecurity, data protection, and digital infrastructure. This comes as part of its examination of the government's spending plans for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the fiscal year 2026-27.
Budget Concerns and Digital Governance
The panel cautioned that inadequate funding could significantly affect the expansion of digital governance systems, cybersecurity capabilities, and emerging initiatives such as artificial intelligence infrastructure. These observations are detailed in the "Twenty-Fourth Report of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology" on the ministry's Demands for Grants, which was formally presented in Parliament on March 16.
The committee emphasized that "allocation of more funds to the Ministry may help promote Digital Governance for empowering citizens, promoting the inclusive and sustainable growth of the Electronics, IT and ITeS industries… and ensuring a secure cyber space."
Budget Analysis and Reductions
According to the report, MeitY's budget estimate for 2026-27 stands at Rs 21,632.96 crore, which represents a decrease compared to the Rs 26,026.25 crore allocated in the 2025-26 budget estimates. The ministry clarified to the committee that part of this reduction reflects the closure of the production linked incentive (PLI) component for large-scale electronics manufacturing, whose tenure concludes on March 31, 2026.
The committee also noted that variations between budget estimates and revised estimates in 2025-26 were linked to lower expenditure during the first half of the financial year and delays in executing agreements under semiconductor manufacturing projects. The ministry explained that semiconductor manufacturing projects are "highly complex, technology-intensive" and approved companies must fulfil stipulated conditions before fiscal support can be released, resulting in these delays.
Implementation Challenges and Cybersecurity Focus
The report highlighted several implementation challenges across various programmes, including:
- Interoperability gaps in e-governance systems
- Cybersecurity and privacy risks
- Capacity constraints in digital infrastructure projects
The committee directed the ministry to address these issues comprehensively and keep the panel informed of progress.
On cybersecurity and digital safety specifically, the committee sought updates on the creation of additional posts in the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). It also recommended strengthening the Data Protection Board to improve safeguards for personal data and address incidents of cyber fraud and digital scams more effectively.
Critical Infrastructure and Digital Inclusion
The committee asked the ministry to ensure that funding shortages do not affect the functioning of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which provides core digital infrastructure for government platforms. It further recommended expanding digital public services with stronger local-language support to improve digital inclusion across diverse linguistic communities.
IndiaAI Mission and Future Initiatives
The report discussed the implementation trajectory of the IndiaAI Mission, noting that variations in allocations partly reflected the programme's rollout dynamics following its approval in March 2024. According to the ministry, early stages focused on institutional setup, consultations, and operational guidelines before scaling up activities across research, ecosystem development, and international collaboration.
Among future initiatives, the panel suggested using enhanced funding under the National Knowledge Network to establish a blockchain-based National Digital Research Repository. This ambitious project aims to enable secure knowledge sharing among research institutions nationwide.
Expanding Digital Literacy and Regional Development
The report further recommended:
- Expanding digital literacy programmes in rural and tribal areas
- Strengthening the IT ecosystem in underperforming states, including those in the Northeast
These measures are intended to support more balanced growth in India's digital economy and ensure that technological advancement benefits all regions equally.
