Parliament Question: Expansion of CFSL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3989 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17TH MARCH, 2026/ PHALGUNA 26, 1947 (SAKA) EXPANSION OF CFSL †3989. DR. SAMBIT PATRA: Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has formulated an action plan for the expansion of Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) to ensure the smooth implementation of the recently enacted new criminal laws; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the measures taken by the Government for the electronic storage and security of forensic data in light of the new criminal laws including the details thereof; and (d) the steps taken by the Government under the Nirbhaya Fund to enhance forensic science capabilities across the country in view of the new criminal laws including the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR) (a) and (b): 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-2- L.S.US.Q.NO. 3989 FOR 17.03.2026 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. (c): 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. (d): 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-3- L.S.US.Q.NO. 3989 FOR 17.03.2026 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.-4- L.S.US.Q.NO. 3989 FOR 17.03.2026 (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”. *****