Govt details steps to strengthen NIA
New Delhi, Dec 2: The government on Tuesday outlined a wide range of measures taken to bolster the National Investigation Agency (NIA), stating that the agency has now evolved into a “globally renowned” counter-terrorism investigation body with a 92.44 percent conviction rate.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the NIA, established after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks under the NIA Act, 2008, has significantly expanded its mandate and operational capacity over the years. The agency investigates offences affecting the sovereignty and security of India, including those connected to international treaties and foreign relations.
Nityanand Rai noted that the NIA’s powers were enhanced through the NIA (Amendment) Act, 2019, enabling it to probe scheduled offences committed outside India involving Indian citizens or interests. Its mandate has also been widened to include cases under the Explosive Substances Act, human trafficking, cyber terrorism and offences under the Arms Act.
The agency has grown to 21 branch offices, including two zonal offices in Guwahati and Jammu, and has 1,901 sanctioned posts, of which 769 were added in the last five years. The government has also designated 52 NIA Special Courts, including exclusive courts in Ranchi, Jammu and Mumbai. To improve investigative efficiency, the NIA has set up the National Terror Data Fusion & Analysis Centre (NTDFAC) for big data analytics and digitised processes, as well as specialised divisions such as the Anti Human Trafficking Division, Anti Cyber Terrorism Division, FATF Cell, Financial Analysis Unit, and a legal experts’ cell.
A dedicated Foreign Investigation Request Unit (FIRU) was established in 2024 to handle cases with international jurisdiction.
STRENGTHENING GLOBAL COORDINATION
Minister Rai highlighted the NIA’s international outreach, including the 3rd ministerial “No Money for Terror” conference in 2022, attended by delegates from 78 countries and 16 multilateral organisations. The agency has conducted joint capacity-building programmes with foreign agencies for both Indian and international officers over the past five years. A Joint Task Force with Bangladesh is operational for information exchange on fake Indian currency, and training programmes have been conducted for enforcement agencies in neighbouring countries, including Nepal. The government also approved an MoU between NIA and the National Forensic Science University in March 2025 to strengthen forensic capabilities.
ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY
Reaffirming the Centre’s “zero-tolerance” approach to unlawful activities, Minister Rai informed the House that 23 organisations have been declared unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the past five years. The list includes SIMI, ULFA, LTTE, PFI and its affiliates, Sikhs for Justice, IRF, and several extremist groups active in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast. “These steps have significantly bolstered the NIA’s capabilities, enabling it to fulfil its mandate efficiently and effectively,” the Minister said. The NIA has registered 692 cases since inception and secured convictions in 172 cases, he added.
