Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (LNJN NICFS), New Delhi is a premier government institute established in 1972 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It was renamed after Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan in 2003. On October 1, 2020, LNJN NICFS became the Delhi Campus of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), an Institution of National Importance (INI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The institute is the country’s nodal centre for training, research, and education in criminology and forensic science.
As per NIRF University Rankings 2025, NFSU is ranked #45 among universities in India. The ranking reflects NFSU’s performance across all its campuses including LNJN NICFS Delhi.
The institute is located in Rohini, New Delhi, spread across an 8-acre campus. It houses specialist forensic science laboratories, a criminology research wing, and a digital forensics infrastructure serving both academic and training needs.
LNJN NICFS offers programmes in criminology, forensic science, and allied disciplines:
- Integrated (5 years): B.Tech-M.Tech Cybersecurity, B.Sc-M.Sc Forensic Science, B.Sc-M.Sc Criminology and Forensic Science, BBA-MBA (Forensic specialisations), BBA-LLB
- Postgraduate (2 years): MA Criminology, M.Sc Forensic Science and Criminology, M.Sc Clinical Psychology
- PG Diploma (1 year): Investigation of Cyber Crime and Law, Security Management, Victimology and Victim Assistance
The total fees for MA Criminology is INR 2,40,000 for the full 2-year duration. M.Sc Forensic Science and Criminology fees are INR 2,60,000. PG Diploma programmes are priced at INR 70,000 each.
NFSU placed over 1,950 students across campuses in the 2024-25 cycle, with an average package of INR 6 LPA and a highest offer of INR 16 LPA. Graduates from the Delhi campus are absorbed into forensic labs, law enforcement agencies, and legal research roles.
LNJN NICFS Admission Dates 2026
LNJN NICFS admissions for the 2026-27 session were processed through the NFSU Centralised Seat Allotment System (CSAS) portal, replacing the earlier NFAT entrance exam. Admissions to PG programmes are now based on CUET PG scores.
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| CSAS Portal Opens | April 9, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (CSAS) | June 10, 2026 |
| Seat Allotment and Admission | July 2026 onwards |
| 2026-27 Admission Status | Concluded |
| Next Cycle (2027-28) | Expected early 2027 |
The table below shows the entrance exam accepted for each programme family at LNJN NICFS.
| Programme | Exam Accepted | Status (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated UG-PG (5 years) | CUET UG | Concluded |
| MA Criminology / M.Sc programmes (2 years) | CUET PG | Concluded |
| PG Diploma programmes (1 year) | CUET PG / Institute Merit | Concluded |
LNJN NICFS Courses and Fees
LNJN NICFS offers programmes across forensic science, criminology, cybersecurity, and criminal justice. The fee structure reflects government institution rates, making it among the most affordable specialised criminology and forensic science institutes in India.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Sc-M.Sc Forensic Science (Integrated) | 5 years | 10+2 with Science, CUET UG | As per NFSU fee schedule |
| B.Sc-M.Sc Criminology and Forensic Science (Integrated) | 5 years | 10+2, CUET UG | As per NFSU fee schedule |
| B.Tech-M.Tech Cybersecurity (Integrated) | 5 years | 10+2 with PCM, CUET UG | As per NFSU fee schedule |
| MA Criminology | 2 years | Bachelor’s in relevant discipline, CUET PG | INR 2,40,000 |
| M.Sc Forensic Science and Criminology | 2 years | Bachelor’s in Science, CUET PG | INR 2,60,000 |
| M.Sc Clinical Psychology | 2 years | Bachelor’s in Psychology, CUET PG | INR 2,60,000 |
| PG Diploma in Investigation of Cyber Crime and Law | 1 year | Bachelor’s degree, CUET PG | INR 70,000 |
| PG Diploma in Security Management | 1 year | Bachelor’s degree, CUET PG | INR 70,000 |
| PG Diploma in Victimology and Victim Assistance | 1 year | Bachelor’s degree, CUET PG | INR 70,000 |
PG Diploma programmes are designed for working professionals in law enforcement, legal, and social welfare sectors, and can typically be completed in one academic year. Integrated programmes run for 5 years and lead to a dual UG-PG credential in the chosen forensic or cybersecurity stream.
LNJN NICFS Admission Process
Integrated UG-PG Programmes
LNJN NICFS’s integrated 5-year programmes admit students after 10+2. Admission is based on CUET UG scores, channelled through the NFSU CSAS portal.
- B.Tech-M.Tech Cybersecurity: requires 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- B.Sc-M.Sc Forensic Science and B.Sc-M.Sc Criminology: require 10+2 with a Science background.
- BBA-MBA and BBA-LLB programmes: require 10+2 in any stream.
MA and M.Sc Programmes
PG standalone admissions are based on CUET PG scores. The NFAT entrance exam was discontinued from the 2026-27 cycle. Eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum passing percentage.
- MA Criminology: bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, Law, or allied social sciences.
- M.Sc Forensic Science and Criminology: bachelor’s degree in Science with Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Forensic Science.
- M.Sc Clinical Psychology: bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates receive relaxation as per Central Government norms.
Admission cutoffs for CUET PG at LNJN NICFS are typically determined by the NFSU CSAS merit process. M.Sc Forensic Science is among the more competitive PG options given limited seats and demand from Science graduates.
PG Diploma Programmes
PG Diploma in Cyber Crime and Law, Security Management, and Victimology are open to graduates from Law, Social Sciences, Science, or Management backgrounds. These programmes attract mid-career law enforcement and judiciary professionals seeking specialised credentials.
LNJN NICFS Placements and Career Outcomes
LNJN NICFS graduates are trained for careers in law enforcement, forensic science laboratories, the judiciary, intelligence agencies, and policy research. Conventional campus placements are not the primary career outcome model here. Most graduates enter government forensic labs, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) labs, State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs), or pursue advanced research.
Across NFSU campuses, the 2024-25 placement cycle placed over 1,950 students with a 91% placement rate. The highest offer was INR 16 LPA and the average package was INR 6 LPA. Private sector recruiters include cybersecurity firms, legal tech companies, and corporate investigation units.
| Career Pathway | Typical Entry Roles | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Forensic Science Laboratories | Scientific Officer, Forensic Analyst | Central and State Government |
| Law Enforcement Agencies | Forensic Expert, Crime Scene Investigator | CBI, NIA, Police |
| Judiciary / Legal Services | Expert Witness, Legal Researcher | Courts, Law firms |
| Cybersecurity | Cyber Forensic Analyst, Incident Responder | Private and Government |
| Academia and Research | Research Fellow, Faculty | Universities, Think tanks |
The Delhi campus’s location provides close access to national-level agencies including the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), which are primary employers for NICFS graduates.
LNJN NICFS Rankings
LNJN NICFS operates as the Delhi Campus of NFSU, an Institution of National Importance. NFSU’s performance in the NIRF University Rankings 2025 is a #45 rank among all universities in India, reflecting the university’s standing in forensic and allied sciences research and academic output.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | University (NFSU overall) | 45 |
| NAAC | Accreditation (NFSU overall) | Grade A |
NFSU is one of the few institutions globally dedicated exclusively to forensic and allied sciences, which makes a NIRF University rank of #45 significant against general-purpose universities in the same category.
LNJN NICFS Campus and Infrastructure
The LNJN NICFS campus is spread across 8 acres in Rohini, New Delhi. The campus houses specialist forensic science laboratories, a criminology research facility, and a digital forensics wing. The institute also has an instrumentation wing supporting research and hands-on training in evidence analysis.
Since its founding, the institute has trained over 34,000 officers from police, judiciary, prosecution, correctional administration, and allied sectors. International participants from 18 countries have attended programmes here. This training heritage gives students direct exposure to practitioner networks within the criminal justice system.
LNJN NICFS vs Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences vs NFSU Goa
Aspirants applying for forensic science and criminology programmes at LNJN NICFS (NFSU Delhi) typically also consider the Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences (Noida) and other NFSU campuses such as NFSU Goa. The three differ significantly on institutional type, fee structure, and career-pathway orientation.
| Parameter | LNJN NICFS Delhi (NFSU) | Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences | NFSU Goa Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Institution of National Importance (Govt) | Private Deemed University | Institution of National Importance (Govt) |
| Location | Rohini, New Delhi | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | Goa |
| Flagship PG | M.Sc Forensic Science and Criminology | M.Sc Forensic Science | M.Sc Forensic Science |
| Admission | CUET PG via CSAS | Amity Joint Entrance Test | CUET PG via CSAS |
| M.Sc Fees | INR 2,60,000 | Higher (private rates) | As per NFSU schedule |
| NIRF Rank | #45 (NFSU, University 2025) | Part of Amity University ranking | #45 (NFSU, University 2025) |
| Career Focus | Government labs, law enforcement, judiciary | Broad, includes private sector | Government labs, law enforcement |
LNJN NICFS Delhi and NFSU Goa share the same institutional credential under NFSU. The Delhi campus offers a location advantage for aspirants targeting central government agencies. Amity offers more flexibility in programme variety and private sector pathways at a higher fee point.
LNJN NICFS FAQs
Ques. Is LNJN NICFS part of NFSU?
Ans. Yes. LNJN NICFS became the Delhi Campus of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) on October 1, 2020. NFSU is an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Degrees from LNJN NICFS are now awarded under the NFSU banner.
Ques. What is the NIRF rank of LNJN NICFS?
Ans. LNJN NICFS is the Delhi campus of NFSU, which is ranked #45 in NIRF University Rankings 2025. NFSU also holds NAAC Grade A accreditation.
Ques. What entrance exam is used for LNJN NICFS admissions?
Ans. From 2026 onwards, NFSU has discontinued NFAT and moved to CUET for all UG and PG admissions. Applications are submitted through the NFSU CSAS portal. CUET UG scores are required for 5-year integrated programmes and CUET PG scores for standalone MA/M.Sc admissions.
Ques. What are the fees for M.Sc Forensic Science at LNJN NICFS?
Ans. The total fees for M.Sc Forensic Science and Criminology at LNJN NICFS is INR 2,60,000 for the full 2-year programme. MA Criminology fees are INR 2,40,000. PG Diploma programmes are priced at INR 70,000 each.
Ques. What careers can I pursue after M.Sc Forensic Science from LNJN NICFS?
Ans. LNJN NICFS graduates enter careers in government forensic laboratories (Central Forensic Science Laboratory, State FSLs), the CBI, NIA, police agencies, and the judiciary as expert witnesses. Private sector options include cybersecurity firms, legal tech companies, and corporate investigation units.
Ques. Does LNJN NICFS offer hostel accommodation?
Ans. Hostel availability at the LNJN NICFS Delhi campus should be confirmed directly with the institute or NFSU Delhi campus office. No hostel fee data is published in the current admission materials.
Ques. Is LNJN NICFS better than Amity for forensic science?
Ans. LNJN NICFS (NFSU Delhi) is a government Institution of National Importance with lower fees (INR 2,60,000 for M.Sc) and direct proximity to central government agencies. Amity offers a broader range of specialisations and more private-sector placement pathways. Aspirants targeting government forensic labs or law enforcement roles typically prefer LNJN NICFS for its institutional credibility and government-linked training network.
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The LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS) does not offer admission based on CUET marks. Admission to their postgraduate programs, such as M.Sc. in Forensic Science and M.A. in Criminology, is through the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET). A minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying undergraduate degree is required for eligibility.
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognized institute. You can apply by following the steps below:
LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, New Delhi does not offer the BPT course. LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science offers the MA in criminology, MSc in Forensic science, and PG diploma courses.
How TO GET ADMISSION IN BSC FORENSIC?
Admission to the B.Sc. Forensic Science can be done on either of the basis: Online Examination or Merit basis.
The eligibility of LNJN National Institute of Forensic Science MSc Forensic Science is to complete graduation in the relevant specialisation.
You need to appear for GGSIPU CET to get admission at LNJN New Delhi.