Parliament Question: National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1331 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH FEBRUARY, 2026/ MAGHA 22, 1947 (SAKA) NATIONAL FORENSIC INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENT SCHEME 1331 SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA: DR. PARMAR JASHVANTSINH SALAMSINH: SHRI BRIJ LAL: SHRI KESRIDEVSINH JHALA: SHRI BABUBHAI JESANGBHAI DESAI: SHRI CHUNNILAL GARASIYA: Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the current status of the newly sanctioned and inaugurated Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) and National Forensic Sciences University (NFSUs) campuses under the scheme; (b) how the Forensic Aptitude and Calibre Test (FACT) conducted by NFSU has helped fill critical vacancies in forensic laboratories, and; (c) the number of Forensic Experts engaged on a contractual basis to ensure zero pendency of cases in 2025–26; and (d) the progress of the Modernization of Forensic Capacities scheme in enabling States and UTs to upgrade forensic infrastructure and deploy Mobile Forensic Vans, particularly in rural areas? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR) (a) The Government of India has approved setting up of 09 off-campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal and 07 Central Forensic Science Laboratories-2- R.S.US.Q.NO. 1331 FOR 11.02.2026 (CFSLs) in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Kerala under the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES). Out of the 07 approved CFSLs, CFSLs at Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar are to be established in co- location with the NFSU off-campus. The off-campuses of the NFSU in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu are currently operational from transit campuses. So far, land has been allotted by the State Government of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu for setting up of NFSU off-campus / CFSL in the State. (b) The Government of India has established the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in the year 2020 to provide quality manpower in the forensic sector. The National Forensic Sciences University conducts Forensic Aptitude and Calibre Test (FACT) in order to identify suitable candidates, who can then be engaged by the Forensic Science Laboratories on contractual basis to make available the required scientific manpower in the Forensic Science Laboratories. (c) In the year 2025-26, 154 number of forensic experts were engaged on contractual basis in the 07 Central Forensic Science Laboratories to ensure zero pendency. The data in respect of State Forensic Science Laboratories is not maintained centrally.-3- R.S.US.Q.NO. 1331 FOR 11.02.2026 (d) “Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens including investigation, prosecution of crime and criminals, related forensic science facilities, and deployment of Mobile Forensic Vans are with the State/Union Territory concerned. However, under the Scheme for Modernization of Forensic Capacities, so far projects of 25 States / Union Territories have been approved at a total cost of ₹233.32 crore for “Modernization / Upgradation of Forensic Science Laboratories in States / Union Territories” and projects of 30 States / Union Territories have been approved at a total cost of ₹361.06 crore for providing “Mobile Forensic Vans for all districts and State FSLs in the country”. *****