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The Data Security Council of India (DSCI) has launched its nationwide ‘Be Cyber Street Smart’ campaign for Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026, aiming to educate citizens about online
safety and emerging cyber threats, including artificial intelligence (AI)-powered scams.
The month-long initiative was inaugurated at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai by Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister for Information Technology. Representatives from BSE, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and Maharashtra Cyber also attended the launch.
The campaign seeks to encourage safer digital practices as cybercriminals increasingly exploit technology to deceive users and steal sensitive information.
This year’s initiative draws inspiration from Kathputli, India’s traditional string-puppet storytelling art. DSCI plans to use familiar cultural references and accessible communication formats to make cybersecurity awareness easier for people to understand and apply in their daily lives.
Throughout October, the campaign will cover mobile application security, email protection, social media safety and digital payment security. It will also highlight emerging threats such as malicious Android Package Kit (APK) files, AI-enabled voice-cloning scams, real-time deepfakes and digital arrest frauds.
To reach a wider audience, the initiative will use educational posters, infographics, digital screensavers, storytelling content, stickers and learning materials under formats such as ‘Screensavers Manch’, ‘Poster Chaupal’, ‘Cyber Kathas’ and ‘Cyber Pathshala ki Kitaab’.
The campaign brings together government agencies and private-sector organisations to promote cybersecurity awareness across India. Supporting government bodies include the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), I4C under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Maharashtra government.
Industry participants include Axis Bank, CRED, HDFC Bank, PayPal, Punjab National Bank, Thales, Veeam and other technology and financial services organisations, alongside BSE and BSE Clearing Corporation.
DSCI CEO Vinayak Godse highlighted the growing importance of public awareness as AI makes fraudulent messages, impersonation attempts and other cyberattacks more convincing. The campaign aims to help citizens recognise these risks and adopt safer online habits.
By combining traditional storytelling with practical digital safety guidance, DSCI aims to strengthen public awareness and encourage collective responsibility for a safer digital environment.
The month-long initiative was inaugurated at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai by Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister for Information Technology. Representatives from BSE, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and Maharashtra Cyber also attended the launch.
The campaign seeks to encourage safer digital practices as cybercriminals increasingly exploit technology to deceive users and steal sensitive information.
This year’s initiative draws inspiration from Kathputli, India’s traditional string-puppet storytelling art. DSCI plans to use familiar cultural references and accessible communication formats to make cybersecurity awareness easier for people to understand and apply in their daily lives.
Throughout October, the campaign will cover mobile application security, email protection, social media safety and digital payment security. It will also highlight emerging threats such as malicious Android Package Kit (APK) files, AI-enabled voice-cloning scams, real-time deepfakes and digital arrest frauds.
To reach a wider audience, the initiative will use educational posters, infographics, digital screensavers, storytelling content, stickers and learning materials under formats such as ‘Screensavers Manch’, ‘Poster Chaupal’, ‘Cyber Kathas’ and ‘Cyber Pathshala ki Kitaab’.
The campaign brings together government agencies and private-sector organisations to promote cybersecurity awareness across India. Supporting government bodies include the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), I4C under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Maharashtra government.
Industry participants include Axis Bank, CRED, HDFC Bank, PayPal, Punjab National Bank, Thales, Veeam and other technology and financial services organisations, alongside BSE and BSE Clearing Corporation.
DSCI CEO Vinayak Godse highlighted the growing importance of public awareness as AI makes fraudulent messages, impersonation attempts and other cyberattacks more convincing. The campaign aims to help citizens recognise these risks and adopt safer online habits.
By combining traditional storytelling with practical digital safety guidance, DSCI aims to strengthen public awareness and encourage collective responsibility for a safer digital environment.
