New Delhi, July 28, 2025 – The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture across India, has suffered a major data breach, compromising crucial data related to recruitment, research projects, financial transactions, and internal communications.

The incident came to light during the Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society, chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 7. According to officials, the breach was first detected in April 2025, impacting both the primary data centre in New Delhi and its replication server at NAARM, Hyderabad.

Extent of the Breach

Initial findings suggest that data related to recruitment—from technical officer posts to high-level appointments such as Deputy Directors General—was lost. This includes applications submitted by candidates in recent months. Moreover, vital research project data, digital repositories, financial records, and internal email communications were also compromised.

The breach has affected several key institutions under ICAR’s umbrella, including:

  • Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB)
  • Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI)
  • National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM)

Investigation and Response

In response to the crisis, ICAR has constituted a six-member high-level committee led by Dr. D.K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences). The committee has been tasked with:

  • Investigating the cause and scope of the breach
  • Reviewing the failure of the Data Centre (DC) and Disaster Recovery Centre (DRC)
  • Recommending robust preventive and mitigation measures

The committee is expected to submit its report by July 31, 2025.

Implications for Agriculture and Research

Experts warn that the breach could lead to significant delays in recruitment and administrative processes at ICAR. Furthermore, the loss of critical research data could potentially hinder ongoing and future agricultural research projects, impacting India’s efforts to advance agricultural innovation and food security.

“This incident highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity governance in public research institutions,” said a senior cybersecurity consultant. “National-level research bodies must adopt regular security audits, robust data backup systems, and comprehensive disaster recovery plans to withstand cyberattacks.”

The Road Ahead

The data breach has sparked concerns over the resilience of India’s digital infrastructure in the agricultural research sector. As the investigation continues, experts recommend immediate steps including:

  • Upgrading cybersecurity frameworks
  • Implementing advanced threat monitoring systems
  • Training staff in cyber hygiene practices
  • Strengthening collaboration with cybersecurity agencies

Stakeholders across agriculture and cybersecurity are now closely watching how ICAR manages its recovery and safeguards India’s critical agricultural research ecosystem from future cyber threats.