Chhattisgarh is poised for a significant leap in its criminal justice infrastructure with the establishment of two premier forensic science institutions: a campus of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) and a Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). The foundation stone for these vital facilities was recently laid in Banjari village, Nava Raipur, the emerging capital city of Chhattisgarh, signaling a major boost for scientific investigation in the region and across Central India.
This ambitious project is a direct outcome of the Union government’s vision to expand and modernize forensic capabilities nationwide, particularly in light of the recently enacted criminal laws which mandate forensic investigations for offenses punishable by seven years or more imprisonment. The NFSU campus is being established at an estimated cost of ₹145 crore, while the CFSL facility will require an investment of ₹123 crore, bringing the total outlay for these cutting-edge centers to ₹268 crore. The Chhattisgarh government has allocated 40 acres of land for these institutes and has already sanctioned an initial amount for their construction.
The establishment of the NFSU and CFSL in Nava Raipur is expected to revolutionize crime investigation and prosecution in Chhattisgarh. Currently, the state has a State Forensic Science Laboratory in Raipur and regional laboratories in Bastar, Sarguja, and Bilaspur. The new CFSL will significantly reduce the dependency on sending samples to other states or to Delhi for advanced forensic examination, ensuring quicker and more efficient investigations within Chhattisgarh itself.
The National Forensic Science University, which started as Gujarat Forensic Sciences University in 2008 and was upgraded to a national institution in 2020, is globally recognized as the first and only university dedicated entirely to forensic sciences. Its presence in Chhattisgarh will provide unparalleled opportunities for youth seeking careers in this crucial field. The NFSU Raipur campus will offer a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional diploma courses in areas like Forensic Science, Cyber Security, Psychology, and Digital Forensics. Academic sessions are slated to commence from 2025-26 from a temporary facility until the permanent campus is fully developed, which is expected to take approximately three years. Graduates from NFSU are reportedly assured of employment, highlighting the immense demand for skilled forensic experts in the country.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during the foundation stone laying ceremony, emphasized that these institutions are crucial for strengthening India’s criminal justice system and achieving a higher conviction rate. He highlighted the government’s commitment to producing 32,000 forensic experts annually across the nation’s 26 NFSU campuses once fully operational, far exceeding the current need of 30,000. This focus on indigenous development of forensic expertise aligns with the broader goal of making India self-reliant in various sectors.
Beyond academics and investigations, the new institutions are also expected to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Chhattisgarh. The concurrent inauguration of an i-Hub (Innovation Hub) in Chhattisgarh, aimed at supporting startups and MSME entrepreneurs, complements the forensic science development by creating an ecosystem for technological advancements and job creation within the state.
The coming of these premier forensic science institutes marks a pivotal moment for Chhattisgarh, promising to enhance its law enforcement capabilities, expedite justice delivery, and create a robust pool of skilled forensic professionals for the state and the nation.