Over the past five years, India has embarked on a rapid expansion of its cyber forensics infrastructure. From the setup of dedicated laboratories and enhanced training initiatives to advanced digital platforms, the nation is strengthening its prowess in digital investigations—reflecting a concerted strategy to fight cybercrime.
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A Network of Forensic Labs and Training
In 2020, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), backed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, began commissioning digital forensic laboratories across India. According to official sources, at least six National Cyber Forensic Laboratories (NCFLs) have been planned, including centres in Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Delhi, Kolkata, Bhopal, and Pune, with funding of ₹126.84 crore. Additionally, 117 state and central forensic labs were integrated via the new e‑Forensics IT platform, under a ₹2,080.5‑crore modernization program.
These facilities are part of broader efforts to enforce biometric and digital evidence collection in cybercrime cases. They also form part of the Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) scheme, designed to build capacity—including training over 28,000 personnel and about 1,000 judicial officers in cyber investigations.
Unified Platform and Global Collaboration
India’s enforcement agencies now use a centralized e-forensics platform, which links cyber labs under one digital umbrella—enabling secure evidence sharing, streamlined coordination, and faster response during investigations.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), created by the MHA, also plays a pivotal role. It oversees functions such as threat analytics, reporting, training, R&D, and the NCFL ecosystem. In January 2025, I4C signed an agreement with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, indicating growing international cooperation in cybercrime probes.
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Operational Impact and Future Prospects
Experts say these initiatives mark a strategic shift from ad-hoc digital responses to a coordinated, national cybersecurity architecture. The establishment of a forensic lab in Patna by the Economic Offence Unit and CDAC reflects the growing regional diffusion of capacity.
Moreover, the formation of institutions like the National Digital Crime Resource & Training Centre (NDCRTC) in Hyderabad aims to provide advanced training for police and cyber investigators. This comprehensive approach equips the workforce to handle sophisticated digital evidence, malware, financial fraud, and online abuse.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.