The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its latest “Crime in India 2024” report, and Bengaluru came out on top of the list of metropolitan cities with the most cybercrime cases. In 2024, there were over 17,561 victims in the city, representing over half of all cyber offences reported throughout major metropolitan cities. Fraud and online cheating were the leading types of cybercrime. Karnataka was also seen to be in the top 10 states for cybercrime registration nationally. As technological advancement and the use of the internet and digital transactions keep increasing throughout the country, the report underscores the increasing threat of digital fraud, online impersonation and cyber-enabled offences becoming prevalent.

Bengaluru Emerges as India’s Top Cybercrime Hotspot

• Bengaluru had the top rank out of all the Indian metros with the highest number of cybercrime incidents reported in 2024, at 17,561.
• The data was released in “Crime in India 2024” by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
• Over 50% of all cybercrime cases across the Indian metropolises reported were registered in Bengaluru.
• In 2024, the city’s cybercrime rate was 206.6 cases per lakh population.
• The most common cyber offence in Bengaluru was fraud-related crimes.
• There are approximately 16,842 cybercrime incidents associated with fraud in Bengaluru in 2024.
• The majority of offences were registered under the provisions of the Information Technology Act related to computer-related crimes and online cheating.
• Cheating by the personation using the computer resources (Section 66D of the IT Act) is involved in more than 16657 cases.
• In 2024, Karnataka registered 21,993 cases of cybercrime, securing it as one of the top states in terms of cybercrime registrations.
• Across India, cybercrime cases increased to 101,928 in 2024 from 86,420 in 2023.
• The national cybercrime rate rose from 6.2 in 2023 to 7.3 in 2024.
• Cybercrime cases registered in India in 2024 included almost 73% cases of fraud.
• Presently, the city of Bengaluru has a cybercrime police station in various police zones for dealing with cyber crimes.
• There is an increased focus on cyber awareness, digital safety and speedier investigation processes to combat growing cyber threats.

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Conclusion – Bengaluru Tops India in Cybercrime Cases

The emergence of Bengaluru amongst the list of top cities for cybercrime offences in India underlines the escalating danger of cybercrime in a more connected world. Impersonation, financial scams, and fraud in online transactions have surged as a result of the explosion of the Internet and online transactions. This needs to be backed by improved policing arrangements, public awareness and cybersecurity measures. Authorities are concentrating on upgrading cyber infrastructure and investigation skills to address the issues. The instance calls for improved digital habits and tougher cyber legislation.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has named former Prasar Bharati chief Shashi Shekhar Vempati as the new chief of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Rajnath Singh announced on Saturday in a party meeting in Lucknow. The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Rajnath Singh, on Saturday at a party function in Lucknow, appointed former Prasar Bharati chief Shashi Shekhar Vempati as the new chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Vempati would be appointed to fill the vacancy on 6 May 2026 and would hold a three-year tenure. He replaces famed lyricist and writer Prasoon Joshi, who has recently been appointed chairman of Prasar Bharati. Vempati is an innovator in the fields of media reform, digital broadcasting, and public communication, having served as a driving force for change. The appointment is rumoured to boost the working and modernisation of India’s film certification system.

Shashi Shekhar Vempati Takes Charge as New CBFC Chairman

• 6 May 2026: The Government of India appointed Shashi Shekhar Vempati as the new chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
• He will serve for 3 years from the time he takes charge.
• Vempati replaces Prasoon Joshi, who was appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati recently.
• Vempati has also “enormous experience in media, broadcasting and public communication”, says the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• Prasar Bharati has also had the services of Shashi Shekhar Vempati as its CEO from 2017 to 2022.
• While serving at Prasar Bharati, he emphasised digitisation and Doordarshan and AIR modernisation.
• Educated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, he also has a background in the tech industry before joining media administration.
• Vempati is also the co-founder of AI4India.org, a national movement to encourage access to artificial intelligence technologies in India.
• The CBFC is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that controls the public screening of movies as per the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
• The board reviews movies and approves them for theatrical release in India with various categories like U, U/A, A, and S.
• According to the sources, Vempati’s role will further bolster the activities of the CBFC in the changing dynamics of online and on-screen content.
• His knowledge of technology, government, and public broadcasting is expected to help make the films more efficiently.

About the Central Board of Film Certification

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), also called the Censor Board, is a statutory body of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the regulation of public screening of films in India under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. CBFC was formed on 15 January 1951, and its office is in Mumbai. It was formerly known as the Central Board of Film Censors and later changed to the Central Board of Film Certification in 1983. The board certifies films as U (universal), U/A (universal/ages 10 and older), A (adult), and S (senior). Justice G.D. Khosla was the first chairman of the CBFC. The organisation operates through region-wise offices in India.

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Conclusion – Former Prasar Bharati CEO to Lead CBFC as New Chairman

Shashi Shekhar Vempati’s new appointment as the Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification has turned out to be a major development in India’s media and film certification regime. He has a wealth of experience in public broadcasting, digital transformation, and governance, which he will bring to the certification process to ensure administrative efficiency and modernization. His guidance could also facilitate CBFC’s adaptation to emerging trends in movie and digital content production and adherence to regulatory norms. The appointment is also seen as part of the government’s plans to bolster media institutions with seasoned technology and communication professionals.