When war is discussed, the image is often one of soldiers, equipment and borders. Today, however, a new front has opened—the space of perceptions, decision-making and beliefs. Cognitive warfare, which seeks to influence how individuals think, feel and interpret events, has become a central concern for modern security planners. For a country as large, diverse and digitally active as India, preparing for this domain is no longer an academic exercise; it is a strategic necessity.
Over the past decade, conflict has evolved far beyond conventional military engagements. It now includes information manipulation, targeted narratives, psychological triggers and subtle attempts to shape public behaviour. Cognitive warfare goes deeper than misinformation or propaganda. It aims to influence how people understand reality itself—often without their awareness. Leveraging advances in data analytics, behavioural insights, artificial intelligence and real-time communication tools, cognitive warfare achieves effects without physical confrontation, making it both stealthy and impactful.
Across the world, state and non-state actors have adopted these tools to influence public opinion, disrupt democratic processes and create confusion during crises. Synthetic media, deepfakes, coordinated bot networks and algorithm-driven messaging have demonstrated their ability to alter perceptions at scale. India, with one of the world’s largest digital footprints, provides fertile ground for both beneficial information flows and malicious cognitive manipulation.
The objective of cognitive influence is straightforward: shape outcomes by shaping perceptions. Misleading or emotionally charged content spreads rapidly, especially in a digital environment where immediacy often outweighs verification. Narratives designed to provoke fear, outrage or mistrust can distort public understanding, particularly during moments of national stress. These risks highlight why awareness, preparedness and coordinated responses are essential components of national security.
Cognitive threats thrive on uncertainty, information gaps and limited critical scrutiny. Strengthening societal resilience begins with enhancing the public’s ability to identify manipulation. This includes understanding how digital narratives are constructed, recognising emotional triggers, and verifying information before reacting to it. Public awareness initiatives, school- and college-level programmes and practical guidance on spotting unreliable sources can make a significant difference in shaping a vigilant information culture.
Cognitive Defence Capabilities: India needs specialised capabilities to recognise, interpret and counter emerging cognitive threats. Teams trained in cognitive warfare, behavioural science, sentiment analysis, language processing and verification technologies form the backbone of such efforts. These expert groups can detect patterns associated with coordinated influence attempts, identify anomalies and help institutions respond swiftly. Cognitive defence is as much about understanding human behaviour as it is about understanding technology.
Media and Information Integrity: A credible media environment is central to national resilience. The media is often the first filter through which the public encounters information. Strengthening verification practices, improving fact-checking protocols and ensuring rapid identification of misleading content can prevent disinformation from gaining traction. During crises, when speculation and anxiety run high, reliable information from credible sources becomes a stabilising force. Media literacy and responsible reporting therefore play a vital role in cognitive security.
Citizen Awareness and Education: An informed and digitally aware population is the strongest defence against cognitive manipulation. Educational programmes that promote critical thinking, digital literacy and responsible online behaviour help citizens recognise synthetic or emotionally manipulative content. As India’s young population consumes information rapidly through social media, equipping them with the ability to analyse content objectively becomes an essential part of national preparedness.
Leveraging Technological Solutions: India’s technology sector is a powerful asset in building cognitive security. AI-driven tools for detecting deepfakes, identifying bot networks, analysing abnormal information flows and mapping narrative spread can offer early-warning signals. Collaboration between government agencies, private industry and academic research institutions will help create systems that monitor risks in real time. Technology cannot replace human judgement, but it can significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of cognitive threat detection.
Training the Armed Forces: Modern military operations are shaped not only by tactics or firepower but by information flows and public perception. Commanders and personnel must understand how narratives form, how information spreads and how public sentiment can influence operational environments. Integrating cognitive-warfare modules into training, simulations and planning exercises ensures that the armed forces remain prepared for the perceptual challenges that accompany future conflicts.
The Value of an Informed Society: A society that is knowledgeable, stable and capable of critical evaluation is inherently resilient. Encouraging fact-based discussions, cultivating trust and strengthening institutional credibility help reduce vulnerabilities in the cognitive domain. National resilience is not only about protecting infrastructure; it is also about maintaining clarity, unity and confidence among citizens.
Cognitive warfare is no longer a hypothetical threat; it is a daily reality. Addressing it requires adaptive and integrated responses across institutions, technology ecosystems, media networks and civil society. For India, incorporating cognitive security into broader national preparedness is essential for safeguarding stability in an increasingly complex information environment.
(Colonel Ram Murty is serving in the Indian Army with more than 25 years of experience. He specialises in strategic communication, cognitive operations and building national security narratives. He focuses on analysing emerging threats in the cognitive and information domains)
(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.)