In a major cybersecurity incident this April, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) — the apex body managing agricultural education and research nationwide — fell victim to a serious data breach. The cyberattack targeted ICAR’s central website, its primary server located in Delhi, and a replication server based in Hyderabad, resulting in what officials have described as the loss of "crucial data."

The breach has severely disrupted multiple core functions across ICAR. Among the most affected is sensitive recruitment-related information, covering roles ranging from Technical Officers to Deputy Directors General. 

Confidential job applications, critical research project records, and submissions from scientists were also compromised. Alarmingly, internal email correspondences were accessed, raising significant concerns about the breach’s impact on institutional collaboration and knowledge continuity.

Key wings of ICAR bore the brunt of the hack, including the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), which manages hiring for agricultural research roles; the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI), which handles vital agricultural data analytics; and the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), which plays a central role in agricultural HR development. The disruption could pose long-term challenges for India’s agricultural progress, given how dependent the sector is on ICAR’s capabilities.

In a swift response, ICAR has constituted a six-member expert committee. The panel has been tasked with investigating why both the Data Centre and the Disaster Recovery Centre failed to function effectively. In addition, the team is expected to recommend strong cybersecurity protocols to avoid future breaches. The outcome of this review could play a pivotal role in reinforcing the digital resilience of ICAR and potentially setting new standards for other public institutions.