12 LAKH SIM CARDS CANCELLED TO CURB CYBERCRIME: UNION MINISTER
New Delhi, Feb 11, 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Centre has cancelled 12 lakh SIM cards, blocked the IMEI numbers of over 3 lakh mobile phones, and arrested 20,853 accused as part of its crackdown on cybercrime till December 2025.
Addressing the National Conference on “Tackling Cyber-Enabled Frauds and Dismantling the Ecosystem”, organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Shah said multiple agencies are working in close coordination to prevent and respond to cybercrime.
He said institutions including I4C, State Police forces, the CBI, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Department of Telecommunications, banking sector, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the judiciary are collectively making sustained efforts to curb cyber offences.
Emphasising inter-agency coordination, the Home Minister said every institution has a defined role and responsibility, and seamless cooperation among stakeholders is essential to achieve effective results.
Shah said the initiative by the CBI and I4C is extremely significant, as it connects various departments and ensures better implementation of anti-cybercrime measures.
Highlighting the transformation under the Digital India initiative over the past 11 years, Shah said India’s digital journey has been remarkable. He noted that the number of internet users has grown from 250 million to over 1 billion, while broadband connections have increased nearly 16 times, also crossing the 1-billion mark.
He said the cost of one gigabyte of data has declined by 97 per cent, significantly expanding internet access and usage. The Home Minister added that connectivity from Parliament to Panchayats through BharatNet stands out as a major achievement.
Under the BharatNet project, only 546 village panchayats were connected 11 years ago, whereas over 2 lakh village panchayats are now covered, he said.
Shah also pointed to the surge in digital payments, stating that in 2024 alone, India recorded more than 181 billion UPI transactions with a total value exceeding Rs 233 trillion.
He warned that cybercrime, which was once individual-driven, has now become institutionalised, with criminals constantly evolving their methods using advanced technologies.
Calling for collective responsibility, Shah said agencies must deeply understand their challenges and work to minimise vulnerabilities at every level. He added that the Centre has adopted a comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategy to combat cybercrime.
The key pillars of this strategy include real-time cybercrime reporting, a strong forensic network, capacity building, research and development, cyber awareness, and cyber hygiene, he said.
Shah stressed the critical role of the CBI and NIA, particularly in tackling cybercrimes originating from outside the country. He also highlighted that lapses in the chain of custody of digital evidence often hinder convictions and remain a major challenge.
He cautioned that without timely intervention, cyber fraud could have escalated into a national crisis. He urged all stakeholders to act simultaneously—whether identifying fraudulent call centres, strengthening awareness campaigns, improving the 1930 helpline, reducing response times, or enhancing coordination between banks and I4C.
During the event, Shah presided over the Investiture Ceremony of CBI officers, inaugurated the CBI’s new Cybercrime Branch, and launched the State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (S4C) dashboard of I4C.
Union Home Secretary, Secretary (DoPT), Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Director of the CBI, and other senior officials were present on the occasion.