As digital footprints become inextricably linked with criminal activity, the Indian Central Government is undertaking a sweeping modernization of its forensic science infrastructure to meet the evolving challenges of the digital age. This comprehensive national strategy involves significant financial investment and the establishment of a network of advanced laboratories designed to empower law enforcement agencies across the country. The initiative aims not only to upgrade existing facilities but also to create a new, cohesive framework for forensic analysis, with a pronounced emphasis on tackling the complexities of cybercrime. By providing substantial financial aid to states and union territories while simultaneously building a series of central, state-of-the-art labs, the government is laying the groundwork for a more technologically adept and responsive criminal justice system. This dual approach ensures that support reaches the local level while also establishing national centers of excellence for handling the most sophisticated digital evidence.
Strategic Investments and Infrastructure Expansion
The government’s commitment is underscored by a series of targeted financial outlays aimed at building a robust, multi-layered forensic network. A pivotal part of this effort is the approval of ₹244.89 crore, distributed among 30 states and union territories under the Nirbhaya funded scheme, specifically to fortify their DNA analysis and cyber forensic divisions. This funding directly addresses the need for enhanced capabilities at the state level, where the bulk of criminal investigations take place. Complementing this regional support, a national infrastructure is rapidly taking shape. A National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Evidentiary) [NCFL(E)] is already operational in Hyderabad, established with a budget of ₹37.34 crore to serve as a premier institution for digital evidence analysis. Building on this foundation, an additional ₹126.84 crore has been sanctioned under the “Safety of Women” umbrella scheme to set up six more central cyber forensic laboratories. These new facilities, strategically located in Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Kamrup, Bhopal, and Pune, will form a national grid of expertise, ensuring that advanced forensic support is accessible across all major regions of the country.
Addressing Operational Capacity and Skill Development
While the Central Government is spearheading the development of forensic infrastructure, it maintains a decentralized approach to the day-to-day management of state-run facilities, not centrally tracking data on pending cases or staffing vacancies. However, the operational status of the central NCFL(E) in Hyderabad offers a snapshot of current capacity, with the lab managing 181 pending cases, operated by a team of four in-house experts and five contractual personnel who receive continuous on-the-job training. Recognizing that sophisticated tools are only as effective as the experts who use them, a significant focus has been placed on professional development. The National Forensic Sciences University has played an indispensable role in this upskilling initiative. Over the last five years, the university conducted 66 specialized training programs in cyber forensics, which successfully equipped 1,852 officers from law enforcement and other government agencies with the critical skills needed to navigate the digital evidence landscape, thereby creating a vital pipeline of trained personnel ready to staff and leverage these new national capabilities.
