UGC pushes forensic-focused legal education under new criminal law reforms

The University Grants Commission has asked universities and colleges offering law programmes to strengthen forensic-focused legal education in line with India’s new criminal law reforms under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The move is aimed at promoting a more scientific, evidence-based justice system and improving the quality of criminal investigations across the country.

In a letter dated May 12, the UGC directed law institutions to study the transformative impact of the new criminal justice framework and integrate forensic investigation components into teaching, research, and academic programmes. Institutions have also been asked to submit compliance reports detailing the steps taken for implementation.

The directive follows recommendations made during the 2025 Director Generals of Police and Inspector Generals of Police Conference, where senior officials called for greater reliance on forensic evidence, scientific investigation, and structured criminal case documentation for academic and training purposes.

India’s new criminal law framework — comprising the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) — seeks to modernise criminal justice by embedding forensic science more deeply into investigation and evidence collection processes.

Among the major reforms introduced under the BNSS is Section 176(3), which makes crime scene investigation by forensic experts mandatory in serious offences punishable with more than seven years of imprisonment. The BSA also strengthens the legal framework governing digital and electronic evidence, aligning India’s cybercrime investigation standards more closely with international practices.

Additionally, Section 349 of the BNSS allows investigating authorities to collect voice samples, fingerprints, and handwriting samples even before arrest in specific cases, expanding the scope of scientific evidence gathering.

Experts say the reforms could significantly increase demand for trained forensic professionals in India. According to P Madhava Soma Sundaram, India currently has only around 3,000 to 4,000 active forensic scientists against an estimated requirement of nearly 90,000 professionals.

“This gap can only be addressed if universities adopt structured, internship-oriented forensic education backed by qualified faculty and well-equipped laboratories,” Sundaram said. He also warned against poorly designed forensic programmes that could create “pseudo-experts” and weaken the justice system.

Amol Deshmukh described the reforms as a positive shift toward evidence-based justice, emphasising that forensic science and forensic medicine must work together in criminal investigations.

Meanwhile, Aditi Suresh Mane said law schools must now prepare students in areas such as cyber forensics, DNA jurisprudence, chain-of-custody protocols, and medico-legal documentation to improve investigative accuracy and conviction rates.

However, experts also cautioned that implementation challenges remain significant. Sonali Kusum noted that India continues to face shortages of forensic laboratories, trained personnel, and infrastructure, even as demand for forensic examinations rises in cases involving cybercrime, organised crime, and laws such as the POCSO Act.

Educationists believe the UGC’s push reflects a broader transformation in India’s legal education system, where future lawyers, investigators, and judicial professionals may increasingly require interdisciplinary training combining law, science, technology, and digital investigation skills.