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News 10 of 25

Rajasthan 'Cyber Sarkar' Scam Diverts ₹14.81 Cr from PM-KISAN, 51 Arrested in Operation Shutterdown

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
22 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:₹14.81 crore₹3.62 crore51 arrests11,000 suspicious accounts99 lakh people data51,000 fraudulent PPOs
Bodies:Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.A whistleblower-led 'Operation Shutterdown' uncovered a network diverting DBT funds in Rajasthan, leading to 51 arrests and seizure of ₹3+ crore cash.

2.The scam exploited lax verification in PM-KISAN, Rajasthan Social Security Pension Scheme, and Disaster Management Information System (DMIS), using fake certificates and inactive accounts.

3.The case exposes critical governance failures in beneficiary identification and the need for robust cyber-security in welfare delivery.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

A large-scale fraud network, dubbed 'Cyber Sarkar', exploited loopholes in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes like PM-KISAN and Rajasthan's social security pension to siphon off at least ₹14.81 crore in Jhalawar district. The scam highlights systemic vulnerabilities in beneficiary verification and the role of local intermediaries like e-Mitras in government schemes.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total Arrests51 people
Misappropriated PM-KISAN Amount₹14.81 crore
DMIS Fraud Amount₹3.62 crore
Suspicious Bank AccountsOver 11,000
Sensitive Data Leaked~99 lakh people
Fraudulent PPOs Traced51,000
Key OperationOperation Shutterdown
Key Investigative BodyRajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total Arrests: 51 people
  • ›Misappropriated PM-KISAN Amount: ₹14.81 crore
  • ›Target this Data: ₹14.81 crore misappropriated under PM-KISAN in the scam.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) investigating 'Operation Shutterdown'.
  • ›Target this Scheme: Rajasthan Social Security Pension Scheme (RajSSP) provides minimum ₹1,300 monthly to vulnerable groups.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme, which was exploited in the Rajasthan scam, is implemented by which Union Ministry?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the 'Cyber Sarkar' scam in Rajasthan:

1. The scam primarily targeted funds from the PM-KISAN, Rajasthan Social Security Pension Scheme, and the Disaster Management Information System (DMIS).

2. The investigation, named 'Operation Shutterdown', was launched by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

3. A key loophole exploited was the 'auto-approval' facility for applications if they were not processed within a stipulated time.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what was the approximate amount of cash seized during the 'Operation Shutterdown' raids?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was a primary method used by the scamsters to divert funds under the Rajasthan Social Security Pension Scheme (RajSSP)?

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