As per available information, the Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial  assistance   under  the  ‘Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and  Children  (CCPWC)’  Scheme, to the States / Union Territories for their capacity building. So far, cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories have been commissioned in 33 States / Union Territories.

   A National Cyber Forensic Science Laboratory (NCFSL) has been set up at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad to investigate important cases of digital fraud / cyber forensics. This laboratory acts as a Model Laboratory for other Central and State Forensic Science Laboratories in the country.

 The Government has approved a Scheme for Modernization of Forensic Capacities, which, inter-alia, will provide, assistance to States / Union Territories to develop high quality forensic science facilities with modern machinery and equipment, including cyber-forensics. NCFSL, Hyderabad provides the necessary forensic support in cases of evidence related to cyber crime. Setting up of new facilities/Division is an ongoing process and a function of demand and requirements in each State / Union Territory.

   The 7 Central Forensic Science Laboratories have disposed 1856 cases of cyber in 2022-23 till February, 2023. Information on disposal of cases in FSLs of States/UTs  is not maintained centrally.

   The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial assistance to the States / Union Territories to a tune of Rs. 122.24 Crore from financial year   2017-2018    to  2022-2023     under    Cyber   Crime    Prevention    against Women & Children Scheme (CCPWC) for their capacity building like setting up of Cyber Forensic-cum-training laboratories, hiring of Junior Cyber consultants. Further, in order to strengthen the Cyber Forensic and DNA Division in State Forensic Science Laboratories, Rs.  175.32 Crore have been released from financial year 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 under Nirbhaya Fund.

  This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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