---
title: "Information Technology Act, 2000: India's Cyber Law"
description: "The Information Technology Act, 2000 is India's core cyber law covering digital signatures, cybercrime, and Section 79 intermediary liability, amended in 2008."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/information-technology-act-2000"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Information Technology Act, 2000 is India's primary statute governing electronic commerce, digital signatures, cybercrime, and intermediary liability.
- What did the 2008 amendment to the IT Act change?
- Why was Section 66A struck down?
- How does the IT Act relate to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023?
- What is the safe harbour provision under Section 79?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Go beyond the definition

## Research Information Technology Act, 2000 like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Timeline

1. 9 June 2000

   21 of 2000) is the foundational statute of Indian cyberspace law, enacted by Parliament on and brought into force on 17 October 2000.

2. 17 October 2000

   21 of 2000) is the foundational statute of Indian cyberspace law, enacted by Parliament on 9 June 2000 and brought into force on .

3. 30 January 1997

   Its drafting responded directly to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce, adopted by UN Genera…

4. 27 October 2009

   The Act's penal and regulatory mechanics expanded substantially through the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, which took effect on following the…

5. 26 November 2008

   The Act's penal and regulatory mechanics expanded substantially through the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, which took effect on 27 October 200…

6. 24 March 2015

   Union of India\* () as violative of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and unconstitutionally vague; the same judgment upheld Section 69A while reading down…

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Information Technology Act, 2000

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Information Technology Act, 2000](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Information%20Technology%20Act%2C%202000%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In June 2020 India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology invoked Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 to block 59 Chinese mobile applications, including TikTok and WeChat, citing threats to sovereignty and integrity.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Information Technology Act, 2000 beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.