India chairs Common Criteria Development Board (2026–28)
India will chair the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) from April 2026 to April 2028. The post was confirmed at the CCRA’s first quarter meeting in Tokyo (14 to 16 April 2026). The CCDB runs the technical work on the Common Criteria for IT security testing. India has been a CCRA certificate-authorising nation since 16 September 2013.
- Post
- Chair, Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB)
- Term
- April 2026 to April 2028
- Confirmed at
- CCRA 1st quarter meeting, Tokyo, 14 to 16 April 2026
- India in CCRA
- since 16 September 2013; Certificate Authorizing Nation
- Indian body
- MeitY and STQC Directorate (certification body)
- CCRA size
- 20 certificate-authorising and 18 certificate-consuming nations
India’s chairship of the Common Criteria Development Board: what happened?
When you buy a router or a smart card, how do you know it is secure? Countries test such products against one common rulebook, the Common Criteria. India will now lead the board that writes that technical rulebook.
- CCDB manages the work programme for the Common Criteria (CC) and the Common Methodology for IT Security Evaluation (CEM).
- Under CCRA, a certificate issued by one member is accepted by others without re-testing.
What is the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement?
- CCRA is the international arrangement for mutual recognition of IT security certificates. Its Common Criteria Portal lists certified secure IT products.
- Certificate-authorising nations can issue certificates; certificate-consuming nations accept them.
Why does India’s chairship of the Common Criteria Development Board matter?
- Cyber security: India helps set evaluation rules for IT products.
- Trade: Mutual recognition saves re-certification cost for Indian exporters.
What can Prelims ask on India’s chairship of the Common Criteria Development Board?
- CCDB chair: India, April 2026 to April 2028.
- STQC Directorate (MeitY) is India’s certification body under CCRA.
- India joined CCRA on 16 September 2013 as an authorising nation.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-05-14): india was named Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board for April 2026–April 2028, confirmed at the CCRA meeting in Tokyo.
- India wants a seat at the table where global IT security standards are set.
Quotable data pointIndia was named Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board for April 2026–April 2028, confirmed at the CCRA meeting in Tokyo.
PIB: MeitY: CCDB chair, 14 May 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: Common Criteria.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
India's certification body for IT security evaluation under CCRA is
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (MeitY), 14 May 2026: STQC Directorate is the Certification Body.
Under CCRA, a certificate issued by one member country is
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (MeitY), 14 May 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is the CCDB?
The technical core of the CCRA; it manages work on the Common Criteria and the CEM.
For how long will India chair the CCDB?
Two years, April 2026 to April 2028.
Which Indian body certifies products under CCRA?
The STQC Directorate under MeitY.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: MeitY: CCDB chair, 14 May 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending