India has officially assumed the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for the 2026–2028 term, marking a major achievement in the country’s growing role in global cybersecurity governance and digital trust systems.
The announcement was confirmed during the first-quarter meeting of the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) held in Tokyo, Japan, in April 2026. Experts view this development as a significant step for India’s international leadership in secure technology certification and IT security standards.
The Common Criteria Development Board is one of the world’s key technical cybersecurity bodies. It manages the security evaluation standards used for testing and certifying software, hardware, and digital systems globally. The board functions under the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement, an international framework that allows countries to mutually recognize certified secure IT products.
Under this system, if a product receives cybersecurity certification in one participating nation, other member countries can accept that certification without repeating the entire security testing process. This improves trust, reduces duplication, and supports smoother global trade in secure digital technologies.
The CCRA currently includes 20 Certificate Authorizing Nations and 18 Certificate Consuming Nations. India joined the arrangement in 2013 as a Certificate Authorizing Nation through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the STQC Directorate, which serves as India’s official IT security certification body.
Officials believe India’s leadership of the CCDB will strengthen the country’s influence in shaping future cybersecurity standards, secure digital infrastructure, and trusted technology ecosystems. The development also aligns with India’s broader push toward digital self-reliance, cyber resilience, and international technology cooperation.
As cyber threats, AI systems, and digital infrastructure become increasingly important worldwide, India’s new role places it at the center of global conversations on cybersecurity governance and secure technology certification.
