Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Indian Teen Named to US DoJ Cybersecurity Hall of Fame
Nisarga Adhikary is a 19-year-old cybersecurity researcher from India.
Cybersecurity researchers look for weaknesses in computer systems so they can be fixed.
He reported a serious weakness in a system used by the US Department of Justice.
The department checked his report and reportedly fixed the problem within about a week.
It then listed his name on a page thanking researchers who responsibly report valid vulnerabilities.
Adhikary said he used custom computer programs to help find the problem and did not receive payment.
He had earlier reported alleged security problems in the CBSE marks portal in India.
He also reported a validated problem in a US military system, which is still being fixed.
Adhikary later joined C3iHub at IIT Kanpur as an OSINT and Threat Intelligence Engineer.
Nisarga Adhikary, 19, was recognised by the US Department of Justice after reporting a critical vulnerability in a major law-enforcement system.
The DoJ reportedly validated and patched the vulnerability within a week and listed Adhikary on its acknowledgements page.
Adhikary said he discovered the issue while browsing the DoJ website and using custom scripts, and that he was not paid.
He previously reported alleged vulnerabilities in the Central Board of Secondary Education’s On-Screen Marking portal to India’s CERT-In.
Adhikary also reported a validated vulnerability in a US Department of Defense system, where remediation remains underway.
- Who
- Nisarga Adhikary, a 19-year-old Indian cybersecurity researcher.
- What
- He was recognised by the US Department of Justice after reporting a critical vulnerability in one of its major law-enforcement systems.
- When
- The DoJ reportedly validated and patched the issue within a week; Adhikary joined C3iHub at IIT Kanpur in June.
- Where
- The reported vulnerabilities involved US Department of Justice and Department of Defense systems, as well as the CBSE On-Screen Marking portal.
- Why
- The recognition followed his responsible disclosure of a valid security vulnerability to the DoJ.
- Researcher
- Nisarga Adhikary
- Age
- 19
- Recognition
- Listed on the US Department of Justice cybersecurity acknowledgements or Hall of Fame page
- DoJ finding
- A reported critical vulnerability in a major law-enforcement system
- Reported response
- The DoJ reportedly validated and patched the vulnerability within a week
- Earlier disclosure
- Reported alleged flaws in the Central Board of Secondary Education’s On-Screen Marking portal to CERT-In
- Current role
- Open-Source Intelligence and Threat Intelligence Engineer at C3iHub, IIT Kanpur
Sources
Why CBSE whistleblower Nisarga Adhikary has been named in US DoJ Hall of Fame
Who Is Nisarga Adhikary? 19-Year-Old Indian Cybersecurity Researcher Added To US DOJ Hall of Fame
Who is Nisarga Adhikary? 19-year-old Indian honoured by US DoJ for finding ‘critical vulnerability’ in law enforcement
