In a significant push to strengthen India’s defence preparedness in the digital domain, the Indian Army’s Central Command has entered into a formal partnership with IIT Kanpur to train personnel in advanced cyber defense.

The collaboration, sealed through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will see soldiers undergo structured cybersecurity training designed to counter fast-evolving, highly sophisticated digital threats.

Under the agreement, the Army will receive training through C3iHub — IIT Kanpur’s dedicated cybersecurity innovation and research centre. The programme comprises two intensive three-month modules that will expose participants to the latest global threat patterns, incident response systems and security protocols essential for protecting operational networks.

Officials involved in the initiative said the focus is on shaping a military workforce capable of responding swiftly and confidently to cyberattacks — an area increasingly considered as critical as conventional battlefield warfare.

The MoU was formalised in the presence of Lt Gen Naveen Sachdeva, Chief of Staff, HQ Surya Command, and Professor Somitra Sanadhya, Programme Director, C3iHub. The agreement was signed on behalf of IIT Kanpur by Dr Tanima Hajra, CEO, C3iHub.

Calling the partnership a milestone, Professor Sanadhya said the programme reflects C3iHub’s commitment to converting cutting-edge research into real-world capability for national security. “We are proud and fully committed to serving the nation by equipping our armed forces with the knowledge and skills needed to prevail in the digital battlespace,” he said.

Beyond core skills, the programme will expose Army personnel to global cybersecurity frameworks and best-practice models used to identify, assess and neutralise intrusions. Officials said the initiative aligns with the Army’s broader shift toward integrated training models, where digital combat competency is treated with the same urgency as traditional military drills.

The Central Command — responsible for several strategically sensitive regions — is expected to benefit directly as cyber threats grow in frequency and complexity across global conflict zones.

The partnership underscores a wider national priority: ensuring India’s armed forces are equipped for a future where wars may be triggered — or won — not on borders, but through networks, data systems and invisible digital battle lines.

Established in 1959, IIT Kanpur is recognised as an Institute of National Importance and is considered among India’s foremost centres for research and innovation. Spread across 1,055 acres, the institute houses 20 academic departments and 27 research centres, and is home to more than 9,500 students guided by over 570 faculty members.