Bharat NCX 2025 Launched to Strengthen India’s National Cyber Defenses

In a major stride toward strengthening national cybersecurity preparedness, the National Cybersecurity Exercise – Bharat NCX 2025 was officially inaugurated today by Deputy National Security Advisor, Shri T. V. Ravichandran, alongside Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, Vice Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU). This flagship exercise, conducted by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in collaboration with RRU, has emerged as India’s premier cyber defense simulation platform.

Held under the strategic theme “Enhancing the Operational Preparedness of Indian Cyberspace”, Bharat NCX 2025 is a two-week, high-intensity national cyber readiness event that runs from July 21 to August 1, 2025. It brings together experts from the government, defense forces, intelligence agencies, critical infrastructure providers, cybersecurity firms, and academia in a collective push to address emerging cyber threats through realistic, scenario-based simulations.

A Mission-Critical Initiative for National Security

In his keynote, Shri T. V. Ravichandran stressed the criticality of robust cyber infrastructure across sectors such as governance, energy, healthcare, transportation, and defense, noting that, “The cybersecurity of our digital systems is now intrinsically tied to national security, economic stability, and public safety.”

He highlighted that the digital space is increasingly exploited by nation-state actors, cybercriminal syndicates, and AI-powered threats, reinforcing the urgent need for collaborative, action-driven platforms like Bharat NCX to prepare India’s cybersecurity ecosystem for rapid, resilient responses.

The Evolution of Cyber and AI as Instruments of Statecraft

Delivering the Special Address, Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel explained how cyber and AI technologies have redefined modern geopolitics and security strategy. He stated that over the past two decades, cyberspace has evolved into a dynamic domain of competition and conflict, involving state-sponsored actors, proxy warfare, and cross-border digital incursions.

He articulated Bharat NCX’s core goals:

• Proactively detect and prevent cyberattacks

• Reduce India’s susceptibility to cyber threats

• Accelerate response and recovery with minimal impact

This exercise, he said, was part of a larger national imperative to create a resilient, self-reliant, and adaptive cybersecurity framework.

Key Features of Bharat NCX 2025

Bharat NCX 2025 distinguishes itself through a comprehensive and immersive design. Among its standout components are:

🔐 Live-Fire Simulations

Participants will engage in real-time incident response to simulated cyberattacks targeting both IT and Operational Technology (OT) infrastructures. Scenarios include:

• Attacks on critical infrastructure (power grids, transportation, healthcare)

• Deepfake and disinformation campaigns

• Autonomous malware threats

• API security breaches and countermeasures

🧠 Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

Workshops and simulations will explore the role of AI in detecting, mitigating, and predicting cyber threats, offering participants practical exposure to AI-enhanced threat intelligence, behavior analytics, and adaptive defense mechanisms.

🧭 STRATEX – Strategic Decision-Making Exercise

This high-level simulation will convene senior executives, policy leaders, and sectoral decision-makers to navigate a fictional national cyber crisis. STRATEX tests the governance, coordination, and strategic thinking required to respond to a large-scale, multi-sector cyber emergency.

🛡️ CISO Conclave

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from across government ministries, PSUs, and industry will convene to discuss evolving threat landscapes, emerging trends in AI-augmented security, and explore policy and regulatory frameworks for critical infrastructure protection.

💡 Cybersecurity Startup Exhibition

Indian cybersecurity startups will present cutting-edge indigenous innovations, emphasizing their role in digital sovereignty and the development of a secure national digital infrastructure. This platform provides startups with opportunities to collaborate with defense, enterprise, and policy leaders.

A Cross-Sectoral Push for Cyber Resilience

The exercise is expected to attract over 1,000 participants across sectors, reinforcing a unified, whole-of-nation approach to cybersecurity. It promotes synergy between:

• Government agencies and regulators

• Armed forces and intelligence units

• Private sector and IT service providers

• Academic institutions and think tanks

By bringing these entities together in a coordinated, intelligence-sharing ecosystem, Bharat NCX is helping institutionalize best practices, bolster operational cyber readiness, and lay the groundwork for an integrated national cyber response framework.

Looking Ahead: A Blueprint for National Cyber Strategy

The exercise will conclude on August 1, 2025, with a combined debriefing session focused on:

• Consolidating technical and policy-level insights

• Evaluating sectoral preparedness gaps

• Recommending long-term strategies for improving national cybersecurity

This outcome-driven format aims to support the development of an agile and forward-looking cybersecurity strategy, in line with India’s digital aspirations and global security posture.

A National Imperative

As India pushes ahead with its Digital India, Make in India, and National Cybersecurity Policy agendas, initiatives like Bharat NCX serve as a critical infrastructure of preparedness and deterrence. It is not only a learning platform, but a strategic signaling mechanism—projecting India’s growing capability to defend its digital frontiers through resilience, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.

Bharat NCX 2025 is a national testament: India will lead, secure, and defend in the digital age.