Overview

The National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) is a Central Sector Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet in June 2024 with 100% Central Government funding. The scheme aims to transform India’s forensic science ecosystem by establishing new National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) campuses and Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) across the country, aligning with the mandate of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 which makes forensic investigation mandatory for offences punishable with 7+ years imprisonment.

The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹2,254.43 crore to be implemented over five years (FY 2024-25 to FY 2028-29), provisioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs from its own budget.

Parameter Detail
Type Central Sector Scheme (100% Central funding)
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Total Outlay ₹2,254.43 crore
Implementation Period FY 2024-25 to FY 2028-29 (5 years)
Key Legislation Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
NFSU Headquarters Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Three Core Components

1. Establishment of NFSU Campuses

The scheme provides for establishing new campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University across 14 locations in addition to the existing campuses in Gandhinagar (Gujarat) and Delhi.

New NFSU campus locations approved:

  • Goa
  • Agartala (Tripura)
  • Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Dharwad (Karnataka)
  • Guwahati (Assam)
  • Nagpur (Maharashtra)
  • Khordha (Odisha)
  • Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
  • Chengalpattu (Tamil Nadu)
  • Jaipur (Rajasthan)
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • West Bengal
  • Bihar
  • Uttar Pradesh

Several of these campuses are currently operating from transit facilities while permanent infrastructure is being developed. Six campuses — in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh — will be co-located with new Central Forensic Science Laboratories.

2. Establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs)

In addition to the existing seven CFSLs in India, eight new laboratories have been approved:

Existing CFSLs (7):

  • Chandigarh
  • Delhi (CBI)
  • Kamrup (Assam)
  • Kolkata (West Bengal)
  • Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Pune (Maharashtra)
  • Hyderabad (Telangana)

New CFSLs approved under NFIES (8):

  • Jammu (UT of Jammu & Kashmir)
  • Rajasthan
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Bihar
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Odisha
  • Chhattisgarh
  • Kerala

3. Enhancement of Delhi Campus of NFSU

Upgrading existing infrastructure of the NFSU Delhi campus to meet growing demand for trained forensic professionals and advanced research capabilities.

Significance

  • BNSS Mandate: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (which replaced CrPC) mandates forensic investigation for all offences punishable with 7 years or more imprisonment. This requires a massive expansion of forensic capacity — NFIES directly addresses this need.
  • Conviction Rates: India’s conviction rate is around 50% in IPC cases. Forensic evidence can significantly improve investigation quality and conviction rates.
  • Trained Manpower: NFSU campuses will produce thousands of forensic science graduates annually, creating a skilled workforce for police forces, judiciary, and private forensic labs.

Latest Developments

  • March 2026: Centre approved 14 new NFSU campuses across India; several are already functioning from transit facilities while permanent campuses are under construction.
  • March 2026: Six NFSU campuses to be co-located with new CFSLs in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • June 2024: Union Cabinet approved NFIES with ₹2,254.43 crore outlay for 5 years.
  • July 2024: BNSS came into force (1 July 2024), making forensic investigation mandatory for serious offences — creating immediate demand for expanded forensic infrastructure.
  • Ongoing: Eight new CFSLs being set up to supplement the existing seven, taking the total to 15 CFSLs across India.

Prelims Importance

  • NFIES approved: June 2024 by Union Cabinet
  • Type: Central Sector Scheme (100% Central funding)
  • Total outlay: ₹2,254.43 crore over 5 years (2024-25 to 2028-29)
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
  • NFSU headquarters: Gandhinagar, Gujarat (established 2020 via Act of Parliament)
  • Existing CFSLs: 7 (Chandigarh, Delhi, Kamrup, Kolkata, Bhopal, Pune, Hyderabad)
  • New CFSLs approved: 8 (Jammu, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, UP, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Kerala)
  • Total NFSU campuses after full implementation: 16 (2 existing + 14 new)
  • BNSS, 2023 mandate: Forensic investigation compulsory for offences with 7+ years imprisonment
  • NFSU was originally part of Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (est. 2008); elevated to national university status in 2020

Mains & Interview Importance

GS2 — Polity, Governance, Criminal Justice Reform:

  • Discuss the significance of NFIES in the context of the new criminal law framework (BNS, BNSS, BSA) and its emphasis on forensic-led investigation.
  • How does the expansion of forensic infrastructure address the low conviction rate problem in Indian criminal justice?
  • Evaluate the co-location model of NFSU campuses with CFSLs — what are the advantages for both education and investigation?

GS3 — Science & Technology, Internal Security:

  • Role of forensic science in counter-terrorism, cybercrime investigation, and border security.
  • India’s forensic capacity gap compared to developed nations and the steps being taken to bridge it.

Interview angle: “India’s new criminal laws mandate forensic investigation, but do we have enough trained forensic scientists? Is NFIES enough to bridge the gap, or do we also need to reform how police forces use forensic evidence?”