New Delhi, October 5, 2026: Nineteen-year-old cybersecurity researcher Nisarga Adhikary is drawing fresh attention for an extraordinary year that has taken him from identifying vulnerabilities in CBSE’s digital evaluation infrastructure to working with IIT Kanpur’s cybersecurity hub and receiving recognition from the US Department of Justice.
US Department of Justice Recognises His Work
Adhikary recently received acknowledgement from the US Department of Justice after successfully identifying and responsibly reporting a security vulnerability in one of its systems.
His name was subsequently included in the department’s cybersecurity Hall of Fame, marking an important international recognition for the young Indian researcher.
CBSE Vulnerability Brought National Attention
Earlier this year, Adhikary came into the national spotlight after identifying vulnerabilities in the Central Board of Secondary Education’s On-Screen Marking system.
The digital platform is used for evaluating scanned examination answer sheets, making security around the system particularly sensitive.
Responsible Disclosure Became Key
Instead of exploiting the vulnerabilities, Adhikary reported the issues through responsible disclosure practices.
His findings triggered wider discussions around cybersecurity standards, examination infrastructure and the need to strengthen protection for government-run digital platforms.
IIT Kanpur Offered Him a Cybersecurity Role
Following the attention around his CBSE findings, IIT Kanpur brought Adhikary into its C3iHub, one of India’s prominent cybersecurity and cyber-defence innovation centres.
He joined as an Open-Source Intelligence and Threat Intelligence Engineer, giving him an opportunity to work on cybersecurity initiatives at a major Indian institute.
Journey Stands Out at Just 19
What makes Adhikary’s story particularly notable is his age.
At 19, he has already worked on vulnerabilities involving major public institutions and established himself within India’s cybersecurity research ecosystem.
Self-Taught Interest in Cybersecurity
Adhikary developed much of his cybersecurity expertise through self-learning, software development and security research.
His journey highlights how independent learning and practical experimentation can open opportunities in rapidly growing technology fields.
Young Cybersecurity Talent Gains Importance
India’s expanding digital infrastructure has increased demand for professionals capable of identifying security weaknesses before they are exploited by malicious actors.
Researchers who follow responsible disclosure practices have therefore become increasingly important for both government institutions and private organisations.
From Indian Exam Systems to Global Recognition
Adhikary’s progression from investigating CBSE systems to working with IIT Kanpur and being acknowledged by the US Department of Justice illustrates the growing global opportunities available to skilled cybersecurity researchers.
His story has once again brought young Indian technology talent into the spotlight.
Source – The Indian Express, US Department of Justice recognition reports
Supreme News Network
