The recent NEET paper leak and the flaws exposed in CBSE's on-screen marking system have forced an uncomfortable question into the open: are India's digital systems actually secure? As education, examinations and everyday tasks move increasingly online, the danger of cyber attacks keeps rising alongside them. IIT Kanpur's answer to that growing worry is a new 4-year course built entirely around cybersecurity—one that throws out the usual rulebook even when it comes to who gets in.
Selection Through a Hackathon, Not an Exam
The most striking feature of this course is its admission route. Instead of being picked on the basis of marks in a traditional entrance test, candidates will be chosen by how they perform in a hackathon. According to reports, the hackathon will set students tasks that require them to spot the weaknesses in a cyber system and challenge them. Those who succeed will earn a seat at IIT Kanpur. In other words, the course rewards minds that can actually break into and expose flaws in a system, not those who simply memorise.
A Programme Split Into Two Halves
The course has been divided into two parts. In the first 2 years, students will study cybersecurity in depth and be introduced to the kinds of cyber problems that crop up in real life. Alongside this classroom learning, they will also receive hands-on practical training so the theory is matched by experience. The following 2 years shift fully towards real-world exposure—students will be given experience in work tied to national security, where they will learn to tackle genuine cyber threats and develop fresh methods to counter them.
Why the Course Was Launched
IIT Kanpur director Manindra Agrawal explains the thinking behind the move. According to him, almost everything today has gone online, and along with it cyber attacks have become commonplace. In such a climate, the country needs cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers in large numbers—and it is precisely to fill that gap that the new course has been started.
The Example of Nisarg Adhikari
One notable case sits within this same story. Nisarg Adhikari, the student who exposed the flaw in CBSE's on-screen marking system, has been given a job at IIT Kanpur's Cyber Security Innovation Centre. The appointment is being seen as a strong example of recognising and nurturing real talent in the field of cybersecurity—a case where skill matters more than a degree.
IIT Kanpur Is Not Alone
On the cybersecurity and digital forensics front, IIT Kanpur is not working in isolation. The National Forensic Sciences University is also playing an important role in this area. It works on investigating cybercrimes, identifying digital evidence and applying modern techniques, and provides training to police personnel, government officials and security experts. Its reach extends well beyond India—people from roughly 70 countries come here to train. Its aim is to produce cybersecurity specialists and strengthen research in the field so that the cyber challenges of the years ahead can be met far more effectively.
