NATGRID SEES SURGE IN USAGE BY SECURITY AGENCIES

As per media reports, the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) is receiving around 45,000 access requests per month. NATGRID is a real-time, secure platform that allows police and investigative agencies to access government and select private databases.

Operational Since 2024 After Long Delay

• NATGRID became operational in 2024, despite being conceptualised in 2009 after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
• It is accessible only to approved security agencies.

Push for Wider Adoption by Police

• At the DGP Conference (28–30 November) in Raipur chaired by PM Narendra Modi, agencies were instructed to scale up the use of NATGRID in investigations.
• The Union Home Ministry (MHA) has urged States to liberally use the platform.

Datasets Available Through NATGRID

Security agencies can access multiple sensitive datasets, including:

• Driving licence records
• Aadhaar registration details
• Airline travel data
• Banking information
• Social media accounts posting on specific issues

Expanded Access to State Police

• NATGRID access has now been extended to Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officers.
• Earlier, only 10 central agencies could use it, including:
  • Intelligence Bureau (IB)
  • Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW)
  • National Investigation Agency (NIA)
  • Enforcement Directorate (ED)
  • Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
  • Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
  • Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

Rising Cybersecurity Concerns

• The government is strengthening data security amid repeated cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure.
• India recorded 20.41 lakh cybersecurity incidents in 2024, the highest since 2020.

Integration with Police Databases

• In 2020, NATGRID signed an MoU with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
• This agreement grants access to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) database, which connects ~14,000 police stations.
• All State police forces are mandated to register FIRs on CCTNS.

Source: TH