Dharma, Duty, and Data: An Indian Philosophical Framework for Ethical Cybersecurity Governance

The study explores how Indian philosophical ethics can provide a transformative foundation for contemporary cybersecurity governance. Modern digital systems are dominated by technocratic and legalistic frameworks that emphasise compliance and control but often neglect moral consciousness and collective welfare. Drawing upon the concepts of Dharma, Nyāya, Nīti, Ahimsa, and Lokasaṃgraha, this research reinterprets cybersecurity as a moral ecosystem sustained by duty, justice, prudence, and non-harm. The work introduces an original theoretical construct- the Dharma-Centric Governance Model (DCGM)- developed by Dr. Dhananjay Trivedi. The DCGM integrates Indian ethical philosophy with international standards such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation, a European Union law), NIST framework (National Institute of Standards and Technology, a US agency), and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act. It rests upon five axioms and operates through five interdependent layers: ontological, normative, procedural, technical, and civic. The model operationalises Dharma through practical mechanisms, including Dharma Audits and Ethical Impact Assessments. Through comparative analysis of global cyber incidents and Indian regulatory contexts, the research demonstrates that sustainable cybersecurity requires ethical sovereignty, a state’s capacity to exercise digital power with moral restraint. The study concludes that Dharma offers not only a philosophical ideal but also a pragmatic blueprint for global digital governance. By fusing timeless moral principles with modern regulatory design, the research proposes a new paradigm of ethical cyber governance that aligns technological innovation with human values and universal welfare.