The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit the Ministry of Home Affairs' proposal for the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES). This Central Sector Scheme will see a financial outlay of Rs. 2254.43 crore from 2024-25 to 2028-29, funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs' budget.

The Cabinet has sanctioned the following key initiatives under this scheme:

1. Establishing new campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) across the country.
2. Setting up Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) nationwide.
3. Upgrading the current infrastructure of the Delhi NFSU campus.

This move underscores the Government of India's dedication to creating a robust criminal justice system, emphasizing the need for scientific and timely forensic analysis. The scheme highlights the critical role of well-trained forensic professionals in efficiently examining evidence, leveraging technological advancements to tackle evolving crime methods.

The recent enactment of new criminal laws, which mandate forensic investigations for crimes punishable by seven years or more, is expected to significantly increase the workload of forensic laboratories. Currently, there is a notable shortage of trained forensic personnel in the country's Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL).

To address this growing demand, substantial investment in enhancing forensic infrastructure is essential. The establishment of additional NFSU campuses and new CFSLs will help mitigate the shortage of trained forensic professionals, reduce the backlog of cases in forensic laboratories, and support the Government of India's objective of achieving a conviction rate exceeding 90%.