How to Start Bug Bounty Hunting in India — Complete Roadmap

Bug Bounty Roadmap for Indian Students

Bug bounty hunting is one of the most lucrative careers in cybersecurity. Indian bug hunters are among the top earners globally on platforms like HackerOne and Bugcrowd.

Step 1: Build Your Foundation (1-3 Months)

• Learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and how websites work
• Understand HTTP protocol, cookies, sessions
• Study OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities

Step 2: Learn Hacking Skills (3-6 Months)

• Practice on Code Hacker's 44-lesson hacking course
• Complete TryHackMe and HackTheBox labs
• Study SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF, IDOR, SSRF

Step 3: Start Hunting (6+ Months)

• Create accounts on HackerOne and Bugcrowd
• Start with programs that have wide scope
• Focus on recon — subdomain enumeration, directory bruting
• Look for easy wins: IDOR, open redirects, info disclosure

Earning Potential

Beginner: $100-$500/bug | Intermediate: $1K-$5K/bug | Expert: $10K-$100K+/bug. Top Indian hunters earn ₹50L+ annually!