The rapidly evolving world of cybercrime is posing new challenges, with cybercriminals increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deceive the public, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday. In response, the CM emphasised the urgent need for technological solutions to combat these cyber threats. He highlighted that the government is committed to offering full support for student startups in the AI field, recognising the importance of innovation in securing the digital future.
The remarks were made during the prize distribution ceremony for the ‘Cyber Hack-2025’ competition, which took place at the campus of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj University. Among the distinguished attendees were Police Commissioner Ravindra Kumar Singhal, Deputy Police Commissioner Nisar Tamboli, and cybersecurity expert Amit Dubey.
The Chief Minister noted that cyber frauds are on the rise across the country, and there is an increasing need to focus on cybercrime prevention. Maharashtra has developed a dedicated cyber platform, which has also been praised by the central government. Recently, a report highlighted Maharashtra’s status as a hub for startups, further underscoring its role in the growth of technological innovation.
‘Cyber Hack’ was a distinctive initiative by Nagpur city police aimed at finding solutions to the emerging challenges of cybercrime and cybersecurity. The competition, launched on January 6, spanned five themes and aimed to tackle key issues in the realm of cyber technology. The first round of the competition was conducted online, with 600 teams from across the country participating. These teams presented their solutions to various cyber-related problems. After an intensive selection process, 20 teams were shortlisted for the final (offline) round, which took place at the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur on January 7 and 8.
The winners of the competition were recognised at the ceremony, with Ramdev Baba College claiming the first prize, Infosys Corporate securing second place, and Raisoni College finishing third.
