India Bolsters Digital Forensics Capabilities with Six New Institutions for Electronic Evidence Examination
Six specialized institutions — Navy Cyber Lab (Delhi), DFSL Mumbai, NFSU Goa, State FSL Jaipur, CFSL Kolkata, and BSF Central Drone Forensic Lab — have been notified as Examiners of Electronic Evidence under Section 79A of the IT Act. Published in the Gazette on 13 July 2026, these notifications significantly strengthen and decentralize India’s digital forensics infrastructure across computer, mobile, and drone domains.
In a major step forward for India’s forensic ecosystem, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified six specialized institutions as Examiners of Electronic Evidence under Section 79A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) on 13 July 2026, these notifications significantly expand the country’s official capacity to examine computer media, mobile devices, and drone-related evidence.
The move reflects growing recognition of digital forensics as a critical pillar of law enforcement, national security, and judicial processes in an era of rising cybercrime and sophisticated digital evidence.
Institutions
- Cyber Forensic Laboratory, Navy Cyber Group, New Delhi The Cyber Forensic Laboratory under the Navy Cyber Group at Naval Headquarters has been formally notified with scope covering Computer (Media) Forensics (excluding Floppy Disk Drive) and Mobile Devices Forensics. Located at Porta Cabin, West Block-V, RK Puram, Sector 1, New Delhi 110066, this naval facility brings specialized military-grade cyber forensic expertise into the national framework. The notification also rescinds an earlier gazette order from November 2024, streamlining and updating the laboratory’s recognized mandate for handling sensitive electronic evidence in defence and security-related cases.
- Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (DFSL), Mumbai The Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (DFSL), Mumbai, has been empowered to examine electronic evidence in both Computer (Media) Forensics and Mobile Devices Forensics. Situated at Hans Bhugra Marg, Vidyanagari, Kalina, Santacruz (E), Mumbai, Maharashtra, this premier state forensic institution will now play an enhanced role in processing digital evidence from western India. The notification strengthens regional capacity and supports faster turnaround times for cybercrime investigations and court proceedings in one of India’s most active economic zones.
- National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Goa Campus The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Goa Campus, has been notified for Computer (Media) Forensics and Mobile Devices Forensics. Located near Goa Dairy, Curti, Ponda, Goa, this premier academic and research institution integrates advanced forensic education, training, and casework capabilities. Its official recognition as an Examiner of Electronic Evidence bridges the gap between forensic research and practical application, fostering innovation and building a skilled workforce for the future of digital investigations.
- Cyber Forensic Division, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Jaipur The Cyber Forensic Division of the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Jaipur, has been designated for Computer (Media) Forensics (excluding Floppy Disk) and Mobile Devices Forensics. Operating from R.P.A. Road, Panipech, Nehru Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan, this state-level facility enhances decentralized forensic infrastructure in northern India. The notification empowers Rajasthan’s law enforcement agencies with officially recognized expertise, improving access to quality digital evidence analysis closer to the ground.
- Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Kolkata The Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Kolkata, under the Directorate of Forensic Science Services, Ministry of Home Affairs, has been notified for comprehensive Computer (Media) Forensics and Mobile Devices Forensics. Located at DJ-10/1, Street No. 326, New Town, Kolkata, this central government laboratory serves as a key pillar for high-standard forensic services in eastern India. Its expanded mandate will support complex inter-state and central investigations requiring reliable, court-admissible electronic evidence analysis.
- Special Instruments Wing (SIW), Border Security Force (BSF) – Central Drone Forensic Lab, Delhi In a forward-looking development addressing emerging threats, the Special Instruments Wing (SIW) of the Border Security Force (BSF), operating the Central Drone Forensic Lab at BSF Campus, Chhawla, Delhi, has been notified specifically for Drone Forensics. This marks India’s first dedicated official recognition in this specialized domain, equipping paramilitary forces with the authority to examine drone-related electronic evidence. It represents a proactive response to the growing use of drones in crime, smuggling, and security challenges.
These are in addition to existing labs operating in multiple States / UTs.
S.No. | Name of Laboratory & Address | State | City |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Digital Forensic Division, State Forensic Science Laboratory, (Directorate of Forensic Services Himachal Pradesh) Shimla Hills Junga, Shimla - 171218 | Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
2 | State Forensic Science Laboratory, Police Line Campus, Tikarapara, Raipur, Chhattisgarh - 492001 | Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
3 | Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Kannur - 670002 | Kerala | Kannur |
4 | Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensics (CoEDF), 6th Floor, Block K, New International Training Centre Building, National Forensics Sciences University, Sector 9, Gandhinagar - 382007 | Gujarat | Gandhinagar |
5 | Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), Surat | Gujarat | Surat |
6 | Cyber Forensics & Digital Evidence Examiners Laboratory (CF&DEEL), Kolkata, West Bengal | West Bengal | Kolkata |
7 | Forensic Wing Lab, Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA), Rajaji Marg, New Delhi | Delhi | New Delhi |
8 | Cyber Forensics Laboratory, Navy Cyber Group, Naval HQs, Ministry of Defence (Navy), 4th Floor Chanakya Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi | Delhi | New Delhi |
9 | Cyber Forensic Division, State Forensics Science Laboratory, Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram |
10 | Cyber Forensic Laboratory, Air Force Cyber Group, New Delhi | Delhi | New Delhi |
11 | Cyber Forensic Laboratory, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), Electronics Niketan, 6 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi | Delhi | New Delhi |
12 | Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Northern Range, Dharamshala, District Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) | Himachal Pradesh | Kangra |
13 | Cyber Forensic Laboratory, Army Cyber Group, DGIS (Directorate General of Information Systems) Enclave, Shankar Vihar, New Delhi | Delhi | New Delhi |
14 | State Forensic Science Laboratory, Madiwala, Bengaluru, under Directorate of Forensic Sciences, Karnataka, Police Department | Karnataka | Bengaluru |
15 | Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad under Directorate of Forensic Science Services, Ministry of Home Affairs | Telangana | Hyderabad |
16 | Directorate of Forensic Science, Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat) | Gujarat | Gandhinagar |
17 | Computer Forensic and Data Mining Laboratory under Serious Fraud Investigation Office, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, New Delhi | Delhi | New Delhi |
18 | Forensic Science Laboratory, Sector 14, Rohini, New Delhi under Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi | Delhi | New Delhi |
19 | Forensics Science Department, 30A, Kamarajar Salai, Maylapore, Chennai – 600004, Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
20 | Computer Forensic Division, Goa Forensic Science Laboratory, Goa Police Department, Government of Goa, Verna-Goa - 403722 | Goa | Goa |
21 | Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory (TGFSL), Red Hills near Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad – 500004 | Telangana | Hyderabad |
Impact
These six notifications collectively signal a transformative phase in India’s forensic domain.
By formally accrediting a diverse network of central laboratories, state facilities, a national university, naval cyber expertise, and a specialized drone forensics unit, the government is building a resilient, geographically distributed, and domain-specialized infrastructure for electronic evidence examination.
This will accelerate case processing, improve the quality and admissibility of digital evidence in courts, and strengthen India’s overall preparedness against cyber and technology-enabled crimes.
As digital footprints become central to modern investigations, these institutional advancements position India as a progressively capable nation in the global forensic landscape.