EXPANSION OF CFSL

• Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) are premier forensic labs under the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), Ministry of Home Affairs, providing scientific analysis to Central agencies (CBI, NIA, etc.) and State police.
• The Union Government has approved 8 new CFSLs in addition to the existing 7, doubling the federal forensic footprint to 15 labs.
• Significance for UPSC: ties directly to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita / BNSS 2023 mandate making forensic visits compulsory for offences punishable with ≥7 years imprisonment — a major Polity + Internal Security cross-cut.