**Executive Summary**
On March 17, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a major expansion of India’s forensic infrastructure to enhance national capabilities in criminal investigation and data security. The initiative includes the approval of eight new Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) and 14 additional National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) campuses, supported by a financial outlay of over ₹4,800 crore under various schemes. Key focuses include DNA analysis, cyber forensics, and the modernization of state-level facilities through the provision of mobile forensic vans.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Expansion of Forensic Laboratories**
* **New CFSLs:** Approval has been granted for eight new CFSLs in Jammu, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala, adding to the seven existing facilities.
* **Specialized Facilities:** A state-of-the-art DNA Analysis and R&D facility is established in Chandigarh, and a National Cyber Forensic Laboratory is operational in Hyderabad, with six more approved under the “Safety of Women” scheme.
**Digital and Evidence Management**
* **e-Forensics:** A central application developed to ensure end-to-end security and integrity of forensic data during storage and transit.
* **National Forensic Data Centre:** Approved to systematically stockpile forensic data from all labs for efficient evidence management.
**Financial Schemes and State Support**
* **Nirbhaya Fund:** Over ₹4,800 crore allocated to strengthen the forensic ecosystem, specifically for DNA analysis and cyber forensic capacities in 30 States and Union Territories.
* **Modernization Fund:** ₹420 crore approved for upgrading State/UT Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs).
* **Mobile Units:** ₹496.66 crore allocated to provide Mobile Forensic Vans for all districts and State FSLs across the country.
**Education and Training**
* **NFSU Expansion:** Beyond the initial Gandhinagar and Delhi campuses, 14 new campuses and two training academies (Imphal and Pune) have been approved to provide trained manpower.
* **Personnel Training:** 36,915 Investigating Officers, Prosecutors, and Medical Officers have been trained in DNA evidence handling and the use of Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Home Affairs / Central Government**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the strategic expansion and funding of forensic infrastructure to improve national security and justice delivery.
* **Action Required:** Oversee the establishment of the approved new CFSLs, NFSU campuses, and the National Forensic Data Centre.
**State Governments and Union Territories**
* **Impact:** While "Police" and "Public Order" remain State subjects, States receive significant financial and technical assistance to modernize their forensic facilities.
* **Action Required:** Utilize provided funds for lab upgrades, deploy mobile forensic vans in all districts, and maintain law and order using improved forensic tools.
**Investigating Officers, Prosecutors, and Medical Officers**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of specialized training programs and standardized evidence collection tools.
* **Action Required:** Participate in ongoing training for the collection, storage, and handling of DNA evidence and the use of specialized forensic kits.
**National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU)**
* **Impact:** Tasked with a massive scale-up of educational infrastructure to address the demand for quality forensic manpower.
* **Action Required:** Proceed with the setup of 14 additional campuses across various states as approved.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs): Specialized national facilities being expanded across multiple states to enhance India's forensic infrastructure and evidence management capabilities.
Nirbhaya Fund: A major financial outlay of over ₹4800 crore used to strengthen DNA analysis, cyber forensic capacities, and the overall forensic eco-system.
National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU): A central university established to provide trained forensic manpower through a network of specialized campuses and training academies across the country.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The primary ministry responsible for coordinating the expansion of forensic infrastructure and implementing various capacity-building schemes.
Scheme for Modernization of Forensic Capacities: A government initiative focused on the upgradation of state forensic laboratories and the deployment of mobile forensic vans.
Ministry of Home Affairs
EXPANSION OF CFSL
Posted On: 17 MAR 2026 5:29PM by PIB Delhi
In addition to the already established 07 (seven) Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) in the
country located in Chandigarh, Delhi, Kamrup (Assam), Kolkata (West Bengal), Bhopal (Madhya
Pradesh), Pune (Maharashtra), and Hyderabad (Telangana), approval has been provided for setting up of
08 new CFSLs in the country in Jammu (UT of Jammu & Kashmir), Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala. The expansion of forensic infrastructure is part of
Government’s continuous efforts to enhance forensic capabilities in the country.
A central application e-Forensics has been developed to facilitate digital repository of forensic data
ensuring end to end data security and data integrity for both data at rest and in transit. Further, the
Government has approved establishment of National Forensic Data Centre under the umbrella scheme
“Safety of Women” to systematically stockpile the forensic data received from all forensic labs for an
efficient evidence management system.
The “Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of
India and the responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens
including investigation, prosecution of crime and criminals, and related forensic science facilities, are with
the State concerned. However, the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs has taken significant
steps to strengthen the forensic eco-system in the country through various schemes, including Nirbhaya
fund, having financial outlay of more than ₹4800 crore, which includes:
i. A State-of-the-art DNA Analysis and Research & Development facility has been set up at the
Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory at Chandigarh.
ii. A National Cyber Forensic Laboratory at the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Hyderabad has
been set up to investigate important cases of digital fraud / cyber forensics. Apart from this, setting
up of 06 additional National Cyber Forensic Laboratories have been approved under the umbrella
scheme “Safety of Women”.
iii. Assistance has been provided to 30 States and Union Territories under the Nirbhaya funded scheme
for Strengthening of DNA Analysis and/or Cyber Forensic Capacities in State Forensic Science
Laboratories.
iv. The Government is undertaking training for Investigating Officers, Prosecutors, and Medical
Officers from States/UTs in collection, storage and handling of DNA evidence and use of Sexual
Assault Evidence Collection Kits. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) and
the LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences (now Delhi campus of the
National Forensic Sciences University) have trained so far 36,915 Investigating Officers,
Prosecutors and Medical Officers.v. The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) has been set up under the Act of the Parliament
in the year 2020 for providing quality and trained forensic manpower across all parts of the country.
Apart from the initial campuses of the NFSU in Gandhinagar (Gujarat) and Delhi, approval has
been given for setting up of 14 additional campuses of the NFSU in Goa, Agartala (Tripura),
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Dharwad (Karnataka), Guwahati (Assam), Nagpur (Maharashtra),
Khordha (Odisha), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Chengalpattu (Tamil Nadu), Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh,
West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The NFSU has also set up training academies in Imphal
(Manipur) and Pune (Maharashtra).
vi. Under the Scheme for Modernization of Forensic Capacities, ₹420 crore have been approved for
“Modernization / Upgradation of Forensic Science Laboratories in States / Union Territories” and
₹496.66 crore have been approved for providing “Mobile Forensic Vans for all districts and State
FSLs in the country”.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a
written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha .
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