The National Forensic Sciences University Act, 2020
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs / Women Safety Division
Act details
| Short title | The National Forensic Sciences University Act, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to establish and declare an institution to be known as the National Forensic Sciences University as an institution of national importance to facilitate and promote studies and research and to achieve excellence in the field of forensic science in conjunction with applied behavioural science studies, law, criminology and other allied areas and technology and other related fields, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. |
| Act number | 32 of 2020 |
| Act year | 2020 |
| Enactment date | 28 Sep 2020 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs / Women Safety Division |
| Department | Women Safety Division |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 56 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 28 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021
Purpose
• To regulate, operate, and plan Major Ports in India, vesting their administration, control, and management with Boards of Major Port Authorities.
Key Provisions
1. Application: - Governs 12 specified Major Ports in India.
2. Governance: - Board of Major Port Authority: Established by the Central Government for each port.
• Composition: Includes a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, State Government representative, Ministry representatives, Independent Members, a Central Government nominee, and employee representatives.
• Qualifications & Tenure: Defined qualifications and a term not exceeding five years for the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.
3. Powers and Responsibilities: - Asset Management: Control over port assets with provisions for leasing and development.
• Financial Autonomy: Authority to raise loans and issue securities.
• Planning: Responsibility for creating and implementing Master Plans and setting rates.
4. Oversight and Control: - Central Government: Empowered to issue directions, conduct surveys, and temporarily take over port management if necessary.
• Adjudicatory Board: Established for resolving disputes.
5. Miscellaneous: - Penal Provisions: Outlines penalties for offences under the Act.
• Transitional Provisions: Smooth transition from the repealed Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, ensuring continuity of previous actions and obligations.
Structure
• Chapters:
1. Preliminary
2. Board of Major Port Authority
3. Management and Administration
4. Financial Powers
5. Central Government Oversight
6. Adjudicatory Board
7. Penalties
8. Miscellaneous (including Repeal and Savings Clauses)
Enactment Details
• Act No.: 1 of 2021
• Enactment Date: 17th February 2021
• Commencement Date: Specified by the Central Government via notification (e.g., 3rd November 2021 for certain provisions)
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The National Forensic Sciences University Act, 2020
● Act Title - The National Forensic Sciences University Act, 2020
● Act Number / Year - 32 of 2020
● Act ID (India Code) - 202032
● Assent Date - September 28, 2020
● Enforcement Date - October 1, 2020
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Home Affairs
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Severe National Shortage of Forensic Capacity and Criminal Justice Delays - India’s criminal justice system suffered from an acute, systemic shortage of trained forensic science experts, behavioral scientists, digital forensic investigators, and forensic pathologists. This deficit caused severe bottlenecks in the investigation of serious crimes, a backlog of evidence awaiting laboratory testing in Central and State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs), low conviction rates, and a lack of standardized advanced academic and research institutions dedicated exclusively to forensic and investigative sciences.
● Elevation of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University and Statutory Central Mandate - In 2008, the Government of Gujarat established the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) at Gandhinagar under a state act. Recognizing the national necessity for an apex, dedicated central institution, the Union Government decided to elevate GFSU and absorb the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences (LNJN-NICFS, New Delhi) into a single central university of national importance.
● Statutory Incorporation as an Institution of National Importance - Formulated to establish and incorporate the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) as an Institution of National Importance. The Act provided for the dissolution of the erstwhile GFSU and the integration of LNJN-NICFS into the new university, mandated it to facilitate and promote studies and research in applied forensic science, cyber security, digital forensics, criminology, and behavioral sciences, and empowered it to affiliate colleges, establish off-campuses across India and abroad, and train police officers, prosecutors, judges, and forensic specialists.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Drafted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to build modern forensic capabilities for the criminal justice system and support police modernization reforms.
● Parliamentary Passage - Introduced as The National Forensic Sciences University Bill, 2020 (Bill No. 86 of 2020) by Minister of State for Home Affairs G. Kishan Reddy in the Lok Sabha on March 23, 2020, during the Budget Session.
○ Lok Sabha - Debated and passed on September 20, 2020, during the Monsoon Session.
○ Rajya Sabha - Considered and passed on September 22, 2020.
● President's Assent - Received the assent of the President of India (Ram Nath Kovind) on September 28, 2020.
● Enforcement - Enforced on October 1, 2020
Sources - Parliamentary Debates (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha), The Gazette of India, India Code, and Ministry of Home Affairs.