Bihar gets its first forensic university; classes to start from July

Bihar is set to get a new National Forensic Science University (NFSU) campus in Patna, with preparations in the final stages for its launch. Bihar’s deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary announced in a post on X saying that the academic session is expected to commence from July at a temporary or transit campus until full infrastructure is developed.

Choudhary wrote, “Another new chapter in Bihar's educational glory!”

As per Choudhary, the university will offer specialised education and research opportunities in forensic science, a field gaining increasing relevance in criminal investigations and legal processes.

Also read NFSU expands to 10 campuses in 15 years, but can it ease India's forensic science crisis?

Deputy CM in the post said the institution will provide access to advanced training and modern facilities, helping students pursue careers in forensic analysis and related domains.

NFSU: Only one dedicated forensic university

Currently National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), which operates 16 campuses across India and one offshore campus is the only institution in India and first in the world focused solely on forensic science and related disciplines.

Although more than 270 colleges across the country offer courses in forensic science, these programmes are usually run as departments within broader universities such as Delhi University and Banaras Hindu University.

As per a research paper by ScienceDirect titled, “The development, status and future of forensics in India”, India is estimated to have more than 60,000 to 80,000 pending forensic reports, with major cities witnessing large backlogs as of 2024-25. The situation is attributed to acute staff shortages, with nearly 40–49% of scientific positions in Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) lying vacant.

Currently four Union Territories Chandigarh, Daman Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, Ladakh and two states Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim have no cyber forensic facility while in Punjab and Nagaland the facility is under establishment.