New Delhi, October 5, 2026: At just 19, Indian cybersecurity researcher Nisarga Adhikary has built an unusual journey in ethical hacking — from identifying serious vulnerabilities in CBSE’s digital examination infrastructure to joining IIT Kanpur’s cybersecurity ecosystem and earning recognition from the US Department of Justice. His story has again come into focus after a detailed profile published today highlighted his rapid rise in the cybersecurity field.
CBSE Vulnerability Brought Him Into Spotlight
Adhikary first gained national attention after discovering security flaws in the Central Board of Secondary Education’s On-Screen Marking portal.
The vulnerabilities reportedly made sensitive examination-related data accessible without proper verification, raising concerns over the security of a system used in the evaluation process. Adhikary followed responsible disclosure practices while reporting the flaws.
IIT Kanpur Offered Him a Cybersecurity Role
Following the CBSE episode, Adhikary was hired by C3iHub at IIT Kanpur as an Open-Source Intelligence and Threat Intelligence Engineer.
The appointment marked a significant transition from independent security research to working within one of India’s prominent cybersecurity and cyber-defence innovation hubs.
US Department of Justice Recognition
Adhikary later reported a security vulnerability in a US Department of Justice system.
According to reports, the vulnerability was validated and fixed, after which his name appeared on the department’s acknowledgement page for researchers who responsibly disclose valid cybersecurity flaws.
Critical Flaw Reportedly Patched
Adhikary said the vulnerability involved a major US law-enforcement system, though specific technical details were not publicly disclosed.
He said the issue was reported to the authorities, validated and patched within a short period.
Interest in Cybersecurity Started Early
Adhikary has said his interest in computers began at a young age and that he started exploring cybersecurity around the age of 13.
His curiosity about understanding how systems work gradually developed into a serious interest in ethical hacking and vulnerability research.
Responsible Hacking at the Centre of His Journey
A key aspect of Adhikary’s story is responsible disclosure.
Rather than exploiting vulnerabilities for personal gain, he reported them to the organisations concerned so that the flaws could be fixed, reflecting the role ethical hackers can play in strengthening digital infrastructure.
Growing Demand for Young Cybersecurity Talent
India’s rapid digital expansion has increased demand for cybersecurity professionals capable of detecting vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Adhikary’s journey highlights how practical skills, independent learning and responsible research can create opportunities even at a very young age.
From CBSE to Global Recognition
Within a matter of months, Adhikary moved from uncovering vulnerabilities in an Indian education platform to working at IIT Kanpur and receiving recognition from a major US government agency.
His journey has become a notable example of young Indian talent gaining international visibility in cybersecurity.
Source – The Indian Express, India Today, NDTV
Supreme News Network
