Lok Sabha Question No. 4487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-28
Subject: Cyber Forensic-cum-Training Laboratories
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: C.N. Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4487

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2023/ CHAITRA 7, 1945 (SAKA)

CYBER FORENSIC-CUM-TRAINING LABORATORIES

4487.  SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  Cyber  forensic-cum-training  laboratories  that are functioning in different States of the country;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  also  set  up  a  National  Cyber  Forensic Science Laboratory and if so, the details thereof along with its role;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of forensic laboratories in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

- (e)  whether  such laboratories have helped in improving the condition of electronic evidence in the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (f)  whether  these  forensic  laboratories  are  used  effectively  to  their  full capacity  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  corrective  steps taken in this regard; and
- (g)  whether  less  funds  have  been  released  to  establish  such  new laboratories during the last three years and if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

(a) As per available information, the Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial  assistance   under  the  'Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and  Children  (CCPWC)'  Scheme, to the States / Union Territories for their

## L.S. USQ. NO. 4487 FOR 28.03.2023

capacity  building.  So  far,  cyber  forensic-cum-training  laboratories  have been commissioned in 33 States / Union Territories.

(b)  A National Cyber Forensic Science Laboratory (NCFSL) has been set up at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad to investigate important cases of digital fraud / cyber forensics. This laboratory acts as a Model Laboratory for other Central and State Forensic Science Laboratories in the country.

(c) to (e)  The Government has approved a Scheme for Modernization of Forensic Capacities, which, inter-alia, will provide, assistance to States / Union Territories to develop high quality forensic science facilities with modern  machinery  and  equipment,  including  cyber-forensics.  NCFSL, Hyderabad provides the necessary forensic support in cases of evidence related to cyber crime. Setting up of new facilities/Division is an ongoing process and a function of demand and requirements in each State / Union Territory.

(f) The 7 Central Forensic Science Laboratories have disposed 1856 cases of cyber in 2022-23 till February, 2023. Information on disposal of cases in FSLs of States/UTs  is not maintained centrally.

(g) The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial assistance to the States / Union Territories to a tune of Rs. 122.24 Crore from financial year 2017-2018    to  2022-2023     under    Cyber   Crime    Prevention    against

## L.S. USQ. NO. 4487 FOR 28.03.2023

Women  &  Children  Scheme  (CCPWC)  for  their  capacity  building  like setting  up  of  Cyber  Forensic-cum-training  laboratories,  hiring  of  Junior Cyber consultants. Further, in order to strengthen the Cyber Forensic and DNA Division  in  State  Forensic  Science  Laboratories,  Rs.    175.32  Crore have  been  released  from  financial  year  2018-2019  to  2022-2023  under Nirbhaya Fund.

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