After AIIMS, IIM, IIIT, National Forensic Science Univ to set up campus in Nagpur

Nagpur: Nagpur is all set to get the 10th campus of the prestigious National Forensic Science University (NFSU). Already boasting of top-tier institutes like AIIMS, IIM, IIIT, and VNIT, the NFSU campus will further boost Nagpur's reputation as a hub for higher education in India.

The institute, which specialises in forensic science and related disciplines, will establish its campus on a 50-acre site at Mouza Chincholi in Kamptee. This will be the second NFSU campus in Maharashtra, after Pune.

The Maharashtra govt has identified and approved the land for the project, and preparations for the temporary campus are in full swing. Divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari confirmed that the land has been already inspected twice, and a request was made to collector Dr Vipin Itankar to expedite the transfer process.

"The land allocation is on track, and construction of the permanent campus is expected to take two years. Meanwhile, classes will commence in June this year at a temporary location," she stated.

To ensure the university starts functioning on schedule, Nagpur University (NU) has offered temporary premises near Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT). The building currently houses the Bharosa Cell and has two vacant floors that will be handed over to NFSU for two years.

The inaugural academic session at NFSU will begin in June with three undergraduate courses: Forensic Science, Cyber Security, and Cyber Forensics. Advertisements for admissions will be published in April, and the total intake for the first batch is expected to be 180 students. Postgraduate (MSc) courses will also be offered, catering to growing demand in these specialised fields.

NU vice-chancellor Prashant Bokare said, "We are yet to receive their formal proposal. Once it comes, we will clear it at our management council meeting on January 22." Bokare also revealed plans for future expansion at the site, adding, "We have sent a proposal to the divisional commissioner to demolish the dilapidated building on the same premises and construct a new vertical structure. This would cater to the future requirements of institutions like NFSU coming to Nagpur."

"This will be the only institution of its kind in central India, offering high-end courses in forensic sciences that are in great demand both domestically and internationally," Bidari highlighted. She emphasised that NFSU graduates are often sought after for their expertise in fields like cyber and digital forensics, which have a significant global demand.

Founded in 2009 in Gujarat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then the state's chief minister, NFSU has become synonymous with excellence in forensic education. In addition to its campuses across India, the university has a global presence, including a campus in Uganda.

The establishment of NFSU in Nagpur is a major step forward for the region, bringing world-class educational opportunities and boosting its academic landscape. With its arrival, students in central India will gain access to specialised programs that prepare them for in-demand careers both in India and abroad.