Telangana Police top nationwide in cybercrime handling: PMO review
Telangana Police has been ranked first in the country for its overall performance in tackling cybercrime, according to a nationwide review conducted under the PRAGATI platform by the Prime Minister's Office. The assessment examined the implementation and use of anti-cybercrime platforms developed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
The state secured the top position based on its performance across nine key parameters. These include the establishment of the State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (S4C), implementation of the e-Zero FIR system, use of the Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM), Money Restoration Module (MRM), Sahyog Portal, Samanvaya Portal, identification of cybercrime hotspots, capacity building of law enforcement personnel, and public awareness initiatives.
According to the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), the state was particularly appreciated for establishing the country's first S4C, implementing the e-Zero FIR system, and effectively utilising key I4C platforms, including the Samanvaya Portal, Sahyog Portal, GRM, and MRM. The e-Zero FIR system allows citizens to file complaints from any police station, regardless of jurisdiction, and the S4C serves as a nodal point for cybercrime coordination within the state.
To improve citizen access to these services, TGCSB has launched a dedicated helpline, 8712665600, to assist people with grievances related to the GRM and MRM. The bureau has also published instructional videos on its official social media platforms to help citizens understand how to use the portals effectively.
As of August 2, Telangana had processed 2,086 of the 2,368 grievances received through the GRM, recording an 88% disposal rate. Under the Money Restoration Module, 34,524 transactions involving ₹16.42 crore were identified as eligible for restoration. Law enforcement agencies issued orders in 28,097 cases, representing an 81.38% action rate. Victims can directly claim refunds of up to ₹50,000 per transaction without an FIR or court order, while larger claims require both an FIR and a court order.
The state has also recorded strong performance on the Sahyog Portal, where 20,070 of 22,447 URLs flagged for unlawful content were removed or disabled, achieving an 89.41% removal rate. Through the Samanvaya Portal, Telangana completed 6,518 of the 6,721 investigation assistance requests received from other states, while processing 5,560 of the 7,018 requests it sent to other jurisdictions.
The PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) platform, launched in 2015, is designed to review and monitor important government projects and programmes. The recent review focused on the effectiveness of I4C's digital tools in combating cybercrime across states, with Telangana emerging as the top performer due to its comprehensive use of these platforms and proactive measures.
Cybercrime has been a growing concern across India, with financial fraud, identity theft, and online harassment cases rising in recent years. Initiatives like the I4C platforms aim to streamline reporting, investigation, and victim compensation. Telangana's recognition highlights the importance of state-level coordination and public awareness in addressing these challenges.
The state's success also underscores the value of dedicated cyber security units like TGCSB, which work in tandem with central agencies to ensure faster resolution of complaints and restoration of funds. The helpline and instructional videos are part of efforts to make these mechanisms more accessible to ordinary citizens, particularly those unfamiliar with digital processes.
While the ranking is a significant achievement for Telangana, experts note that sustained efforts are needed to deal with evolving cyber threats. The state's performance serves as a model for other states to follow, particularly in the areas of portal utilisation and public engagement.
