NIA Capacity Expanded with New Divisions, Foreign Investigation Unit and Big Data Centre: Home Ministry
Established in 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks, the NIA today handles investigations related to terrorism, national security, international treaties, and offences listed under the NIA Act.
New Delhi, December 3: India has significantly strengthened the National Investigation Agency (NIA) over the past five years, expanding its mandate, manpower and technological capabilities to transform it into a world-class counter-terrorism body, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed Parliament on Tuesday.
Established in 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks, the NIA today handles investigations related to terrorism, national security, international treaties, and offences listed under the NIA Act. The ministry stated that recent reforms have both widened the agency’s operational jurisdiction and modernised its investigative infrastructure.
Expanded Legal Mandate and Nationwide Footprint
Through amendments to the NIA Act in 2019, the agency was empowered to investigate scheduled offences involving Indian citizens or interests even when committed outside the country. The NIA’s mandate was also extended to cases related to the Explosive Substances Act, Human Trafficking, Cyber Terrorism and offences under the Arms Act.
The ministry said the NIA’s presence has now expanded to 21 branch offices, along with zonal offices in Guwahati and Jammu, supported by a strengthened headquarters in Delhi.
The agency currently has 1,901 sanctioned posts, of which 769 positions were approved in the last five years, reflecting major capacity expansion.
Tech-Driven Investigations with Big Data Analytics
A key upgrade is the creation of the National Terror Data Fusion & Analysis Centre (NTDFAC), which enables big data analytics, automation and digitisation of investigation workflows to enhance efficiency and supervision.
The government has also expanded specialised units within the NIA, including:
- Anti Human Trafficking Division
- Anti Cyber Terrorism Division
- Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Cell
- Financial Analysis Unit
- A new Special Cell of legal experts
Additionally, the ISIS Investigation Research Cell created in 2018 has been broadened to cover wider terrorism theatres and renamed the Counter Terrorism Research Cell (CTRC).
Foreign Investigation Request Unit Established
To strengthen India’s ability to pursue crimes with overseas links, the NIA established a dedicated Foreign Investigation Request Unit (FIRU) in 2024. This unit institutionalises coordination with foreign jurisdictions — a critical step given the agency’s expanded authority to probe offences committed abroad.
Special Courts and International Collaboration
The Centre has designated 52 NIA Special Courts, including exclusive courts in Ranchi, Jammu and Mumbai to fast-track trials of scheduled offences. The agency also conducted capacity-building programmes for domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies, including officers from Bangladesh and Nepal.
India’s leadership in global counter-terror financing efforts was also highlighted, with the NIA hosting the 2022 Ministerial Conference on “No Money for Terror” attended by delegates from 78 countries and 16 multilateral institutions.
Conviction Rate Exceeds 92%
As an outcome of these measures, the NIA has emerged as a globally recognised investigative agency, the ministry said, achieving a 92.44% conviction rate in 172 cases adjudicated so far out of 692 registered cases since its inception.
23 Organisations Declared Unlawful in Five Years
Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and unlawful activities, the government listed 23 organisations banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act over the last five years. These include SIMI, ULFA, LTTE, PFI, JeI (J&K), JKLF (Yasin Malik faction), and several Meitei extremist groups, among others.
