Lok Sabha Question No. 3989 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Expansion of CFSL
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Sambit Patra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3989

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17 TH  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

## 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

## 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.

(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 Forens ic 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 c ountry'.

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