Government Approves 8 New Central Forensic Science Laboratories under NFIES – ₹960.2 crore Outlay

Overview The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced the establishment of eight new CFSLs . Six of these are under the NFIES with a total outlay of ₹860.3 crore , while one in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is funded at ₹99.9 crore . The move aims to strengthen forensic capabilities nationwide, ensuring timely and reliable scientific evidence for the justice system. Key Developments Seven existing CFSLs are already accredited by the NABL . Approval for seven new labs in Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan under NFIES. Land for the new labs has been allotted in Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Khordha (Odisha) and Chengalpattu (Tamil Nadu) . An additional lab in Samba, Jammu & Kashmir (UT) approved with a separate budget of ₹99.9 crore. The announcement was made by Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Minister of State (MHA) in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha . Important Facts • Total existing labs: 7 (Chandigarh, Delhi, Kamrup, Kolkata, Bhopal, Pune, Hyderabad). • New labs approved: 8 (7 under NFIES + 1 in Jammu & Kashmir). • Combined financial outlay: ₹960.2 crore (₹860.3 crore + ₹99.9 crore). • Accreditation: All existing labs have NABL accreditation, which is granted only after a lab becomes operational. UPSC Relevance Understanding the expansion of forensic infrastructure is crucial for GS Paper III (Polity & Governance) as it reflects central‑state cooperation, budgetary allocations, and capacity building in the justice sector. It also touches upon GS Paper II (Economy) through the large capital outlay and the role of scientific institutions in supporting law‑enforcement efficiency. Questions may be framed on the importance of forensic science in criminal justice, the accreditation process, and the policy mechanisms like NFIES. Way Forward • Ensure timely land acquisition and construction to meet operational deadlines. • Accelerate NABL accreditation for the new labs to guarantee quality of forensic output. • Strengthen coordination between the MHA , state governments, and judicial bodies to integrate forensic evidence effectively in investigations and trials.