CURRENT AFFAIRS | 9 APRIL 2026
CLAT GK + CRIMINAL LAW & GOVERNANCE
MHA Issues Comprehensive Directives to Strengthen Forensic Science Infrastructure
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued comprehensive directives to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, ordering them to strengthen forensic science laboratories (FSLs), fill vacancies, and clear pending backlogs within 3 months (90 days). This is a landmark push to modernise India’s criminal justice infrastructure in line with the new criminal law codes.
Key Directives and Implementation Framework
The MHA directives outline a multi-pronged approach to forensic modernisation:
- Regular recruitment and contractual hires to fill FSL vacancies across all states
- Expand capacity in physical, biological, chemical, digital evidence, and mobile forensics
- Regular use of Mobile Forensic Vans for on-site evidence collection at crime scenes
- District and sub-divisional level forensic evidence collection teams to be formed
- Separate FSL from police to ensure administrative autonomy and independence
- Recognise specialised forensic degrees from NFSU and similar institutions
- Allocate dedicated state budgets alongside central aid for forensic infrastructure
Coordination Through DFSS and ICJS
States are directed to coordinate through the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS) under MHA, which will monitor progress on implementation. The initiative ties into the broader Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), which connects police, courts, prosecution, prisons, and forensic science for seamless data exchange and case tracking.
The New Criminal Law Codes: Navin Samhita
The MHA directive comes in the context of the “Navin Samhita” — the trio of new criminal law codes that replaced colonial-era legislation effective 1 July 2024:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 — Replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 — Replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 — Replaced the Indian Evidence Act 1872
The new codes place greater emphasis on forensic evidence, mandatory forensic investigation for serious offences, and digital evidence admissibility, making FSL capacity critical to the success of the reformed criminal justice system.
NFSU: Building Forensic Science Capacity
The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), headquartered in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, is an Institution of National Importance under MHA. The directive asks states to recognise NFSU degrees and similar forensic qualifications for recruitment into FSL positions, creating a dedicated talent pipeline for forensic science professionals.
⚖️ Constitutional and Legal Framework
- BNS 2023 — Replaced IPC 1860; modernised criminal offence definitions
- BNSS 2023 — Replaced CrPC 1973; mandatory forensic investigation for serious offences
- BSA 2023 — Replaced Indian Evidence Act 1872; expanded digital evidence admissibility
- Article 21 — Right to life and personal liberty; includes right to fair trial and speedy justice
- NFSU Act — Declares NFSU as Institution of National Importance under MHA
- ICJS — Interoperable Criminal Justice System connecting 5 pillars of criminal justice
- DFSS — Directorate of Forensic Science Services under MHA
🎯 Why This Matters for CLAT 2027
The new criminal law codes (BNS, BNSS, BSA) are guaranteed CLAT 2027 topics. Expect questions on: (1) Which old law each new code replaced, (2) Key changes in the new codes (mandatory forensic evidence, digital evidence), (3) Article 21 and fair trial rights, (4) The date of implementation (1 July 2024), and (5) Institutional framework (NFSU, DFSS, ICJS). Legal Reasoning passages may present scenarios involving forensic evidence admissibility under BSA 2023.
📋 Key Facts at a Glance
| MHA Directive | Fill FSL vacancies, clear backlog in 90 days |
| BNS 2023 | Replaced IPC 1860 (substantive criminal law) |
| BNSS 2023 | Replaced CrPC 1973 (criminal procedure) |
| BSA 2023 | Replaced Indian Evidence Act 1872 |
| Effective Date | 1 July 2024 (all three codes) |
| NFSU | Institution of National Importance, Gandhinagar |
🧠 Mnemonic to Remember
“FORENSIC LAW” — FSL vacancies to be filled, Order to all Chief Secretaries, Replaced 3 colonial laws, Evidence Act became BSA, NFSU (Gandhinagar), Section 21 (fair trial), ICJS integration, CrPC became BNSS, Lab autonomy from police, Article 21, Within 90 days deadline.
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
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