Overview
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced a multi‑pronged push to modernise forensic and investigative capabilities in India. The move combines financial allocations under the ICJS 2.0 project, expansion of the NAFIS network, and the establishment of new Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) under the NFIES. In parallel, the government is scaling up capacity‑building through the CyTrain portal and has approved a National Forensic Data Centre for systematic evidence management.
Key Developments
- Funding under ICJS 2.0 allocated to States/UTs for procurement of Fingerprint Enrollment Devices (FEDs) to extend NAFIS to every police station.
- Since its launch in August 2022, 8,831 chance prints have been matched via NAFIS, aiding detection of interstate and cold cases.
- Monthly addition of 90,000 fingerprint records; total database now stands at 1.26 crore entries.
- Seven CFSLs are operational (Bhopal, Chandigarh, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kamrup, Kolkata, Pune); approval for seven more in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh under NFIES.
- ‘CyTrain’ MOOC portal, under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), has registered 1,51,081 police/judicial officers and issued 1,42,025 certificates by 31‑Jan‑2026.
- Approval for a National Forensic Data Centre under the “Safety of Women” umbrella to centralise DNA/biological samples from crime scenes.
Important Facts
• NAFIS provides real‑time fingerprint matching, reducing investigation time and improving charge‑sheet filing.
• The addition of FEDs at police stations is crucial for the 100% adoption of NAFIS, as the system currently operates mainly at district level.
• CFSLs serve as apex forensic labs, offering services such as DNA profiling, ballistics, and toxicology, thereby strengthening evidence quality for courts.
Exam Relevance
These initiatives intersect with multiple GS papers:
• GS 2 (Polity & Governance) – role of MHA, inter‑state cooperation, and implementation of central schemes.
• GS 3 (Science & Technology, Law & Justice) – forensic science, digital databases, and capacity‑building through MOOCs.
• GS 4 (Ethics & Integrity) – improving conviction rates and ensuring evidence‑based justice, especially for women’s safety.
Way Forward
1. Accelerate procurement of FEDs to achieve full‑scale NAFIS coverage.
2. Ensure timely operationalisation of the seven approved CFSLs, with focus on regional balance and capacity for DNA analysis.
3. Expand the CyTrain curriculum to include emerging cyber‑crime trends and forensic AI tools.
4. Integrate the National Forensic Data Centre with state‑level labs for seamless evidence sharing, thereby enhancing the investigative chain of custody.
These steps aim to create a robust, technology‑driven forensic ecosystem that can expedite investigations, improve conviction rates, and reinforce the rule of law.