Nineteen-year-old cybersecurity researcher Nisarga Adhikary has been inducted into the U.S. Department of Justice’s Hall of Fame for his contributions to identifying security vulnerabilities in government systems.
NEW DELHI – Nineteen-year-old cybersecurity researcher Nisarga Adhikary has been honored with a place in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to identifying security vulnerabilities within government systems.
Adhikary shared the news of his recognition on X, posting a screenshot of the Justice Department’s acknowledgments page. This page highlights researchers who have responsibly disclosed valid vulnerabilities to the department.
This accolade comes as a result of Adhikary’s work in identifying security flaws in the Central Board of Secondary Education’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) portal, a system utilized by schools to upload and manage examination marks.
The Hall of Fame established by the Justice Department aims to recognize the efforts of cybersecurity researchers who identify vulnerabilities and assist organizations in mitigating potential security risks.
Adhikary’s journey into cybersecurity began at a young age, fueled by a fascination with computers. He started exploring the field when he was around 13 years old.
“I have been fascinated by computers from a very young age, and I got into cybersecurity for fun when I was around 13. That curiosity gradually turned into something I wanted to pursue seriously,” he explained.
In June, Adhikary took on a new role as an Open-Source Intelligence and Threat Intelligence Engineer at C3iHub, the cybersecurity-focused technology innovation hub at IIT Kanpur.
His recognition by the U.S. Department of Justice underscores the importance of young talent in the field of cybersecurity and highlights the critical role that responsible disclosure plays in enhancing the security of government systems.
According to India-West, Adhikary’s achievements serve as an inspiration for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, demonstrating that dedication and curiosity can lead to significant contributions in the tech industry.

