UPSC Relevance
- GS-3: Security (cybercrime, financial crimes)
- GS-2: Governance (PMLA, institutional frameworks)
Key Points
- The Union Ministry of Finance included I4C under Section 66 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, enabling information sharing with the Enforcement Directorate and other agencies.
Detailed Insights
- Established in 2020 under the Ministry of Home Affairs, I4C became an attached office in 2024.
- It coordinates cybercrime prevention through verticals like the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and Threat Analytics Unit.
- Section 66 of PMLA allows the Enforcement Directorate to share information on legal violations for action.
Significance
- Strengthens India’s fight against cyber-enabled financial crimes.
- Enhances inter-agency coordination for robust cybercrime response.
Analysis & Way Forward
- Capacity building and technological upgrades for I4C are critical.
- Public awareness campaigns can reduce vulnerability to cybercrimes.