Forensic science has become a popular career option in India, as it is exciting and allows professionals to support crime investigations crucial for social justice. Becoming a forensic scientist requires a degree in forensic science and practical experience in the field. This helps in mastering crime detection, cyber investigations, and legal evidence analysis. If you are passionate about this career, explore
how to become a forensic scientist in India in this SciAstra article.Also, find details about the required
qualifications to become a forensic scientist, courses, and job options in the field.
Who is a Forensic Scienctist?
A forensic scientist is a professional who uses scientific methods, principles, and laboratory techniques to analyse evidence collected from crime scenes. They help the police and judiciary system in studying and solving both criminal and civil cases.
Check out the following video to learn more about forensic science:[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JnP-wYghGs[/embed]
Also Read: How to Become Forensic Scientist in India
To
become a forensic scientist in India, aspirants need to follow specific steps related to education and training. SciAstra has explained these steps as follows:
Step 1: Higher Education in Science StreamForensic science is a subdomain of science. Therefore, to pursue a career in this field, aspirants must strengthen their fundamental understanding of the subject. For this, they should opt for the science stream in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Maths/Biology. Studying Biology can be extremely beneficial because it is closely related to forensic science.
Step 2: Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic ScienceAfter completing Class 12, candidates must enrol in an undergraduate forensic science course, such as a B.Sc. in Forensic Science. They can also apply for BSc Physics, Chemistry, or Biology with forensic science as a subject.There are two ways to get admission to a UG forensic science course: direct admission and entrance exams.
Direct Admission: Many institutes, particularly private ones, offer admission to UG forensic science courses based on candidates’ Class 12 marks. This process is called direct admission.
Entrance Exams: Other institutions, including major government colleges and private institutes, offer admission based on scores in UG entrance exams. Some popular exams include
CUET-UG and state or university-level entrance exams.
Also Read: Step 3: Master’s Degree for SpecialisationTo further strengthen their knowledge and achieve mastery in the subject, candidates can pursue a master’s degree in forensic science, such as an MSc in Forensic Science, MSc in Forensic Chemistry & Biology, or Digital Forensics.
Step 4: Practical Training & InternshipAfter completing their forensic science education, or during the final year, aspirants must prepare a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and start applying for internships. For this, they can use online resources to learn how to make a CV for forensic science professionals or seek help from experts in the field. Practical training and internships will provide real-life experience and prepare them for relevant job roles.
Step 5: Apply for JobsThe next step to becoming a forensic scientist in India is to apply for jobs. These can be of two types: government jobs and private jobs.
Government Forensic Scientist JobsTo get a government job as a forensic scientist, aspirants must appear for recruitment exams conducted by UPSC, SSC, PSC, and SFSLs. There may also be interviews in the recruitment process. Before filling out an application form, candidates should check the eligibility criteria specific to the exam and the jobs it offers.
Private Forensic Scientist JobsAspirants can secure private jobs as forensic scientists by applying through online job portals. They can also apply directly on the websites of organisations that hire forensic scientists. These include private forensic labs, cybersecurity companies, insurance companies, banks, and law firms.
Check out the video guide below on “Forensic Science Career in India” to learn more about courses, job opportunities, and career paths:[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBTi4K4RLTg[/embed]
Forensic Scientist Qualifications
Candidates need a UG degree in forensic science to become forensic scientists in India after completing Class 12 in the Science stream. Additionally, they can pursue postgraduate or PhD degrees in the subject to gain a competitive edge over other professionals in the field.
Forensic Science Courses: Duration, Eligibility & Fees
After reviewing the websites of various institutions offering forensic science courses in India, we have prepared a list of course types along with their eligibility criteria and fees. Check out the details below:
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Average Fees (Approx.) |
| Diploma in Forensic Science | 6 months – 1 year | Class 12 (Science stream) from a recognised board | INR 20,000 – INR 60,000 |
| B.Sc. in Forensic Science | 3 years | Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics (minimum 50% marks) | INR 50,000 – INR 2,50,000 (per year) |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Forensic Science | 3 years | Class 12 with Science stream | INR 70,000 – INR 2,50,000 (per year) |
| PG Diploma in Forensic Science | 1 year | Graduation in Science/Medicine/Pharmacy/Engineering or equivalent | INR 30,000 – INR 1,20,000 |
| M.Sc. in Forensic Science | 2 years | B.Sc. in Forensic Science or related fields (Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, or B.Pharm/MBBS) | INR 80,000 – INR 3,00,000 (per year) |
| M.Sc. in Digital Forensics / Cyber Forensics | 2 years | B.Sc./B.Tech in Forensic Science, Computer Science, IT, or related subjects | INR 1,00,000 – INR 3,50,000 (per year) |
| Ph.D. in Forensic Science | 3 – 5 years | Master’s degree in Forensic Science or related subjects with at least 55% marks | INR 50,000 – INR 2,00,000 (total program fee) |
Top Colleges Offering Forensic Science Courses in India
Based on the quality of education, infrastructure, and student reviews, we have curated a list of the top forensic science colleges in India. They are listed below:
| Institution | Location | Notable Highlights | NIRF 2025 Ranking |
| National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | India’s only university solely dedicated to forensic sciences | — |
| Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science (NICFS) | Delhi | Premier institute under Ministry of Home Affairs | — |
| Institute of Forensic Science (IFSC) | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Offers specialized PG diplomas and degrees in cyber and forensic science | — |
| Amity University | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | Modern curriculum, B.Sc. (Hons.) & M.Sc. in Forensic Science | Ranked 32 in NIRF 2025 (overall) |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) | New Delhi | Premier medical institute offering M.Sc. in Forensic Science | — |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Historic central university with strong forensic science programs | Ranked 5 in NIRF 2025 (overall) |
| Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Government university offering advanced forensic courses | Ranked 33 in NIRF 2025 (overall) |
Salary of Forensic Scientist in India
The salary of forensic scientists depends on their work experience, qualifications, and job roles. Based on these factors, the salaries for different positions in the field are mentioned below:
| Job Role | Experience Level | Average Salary (INR per annum) | Sector |
| Forensic Scientist / Scientific Officer | Entry-level (0–2 years) | INR 3,00,000 – INR 4,80,000 | Government & Private Labs |
| Senior Forensic Scientist | Mid-level (3–7 years) | INR 5,00,000 – INR 8,00,000 | Government Labs, CBI, NIA, Corporate Investigations |
| Forensic Toxicologist | Entry to Mid-level | INR 4,00,000 – INR 7,00,000 | Hospitals, Research Labs, Drug Testing Agencies |
| Forensic DNA Analyst | Mid-level (3–6 years) | INR 5,00,000 – INR 9,00,000 | Central/State Labs, Private Testing Labs |
| Cyber Forensic Expert | Entry to Senior (2–10 yrs) | INR 6,00,000 – INR 15,00,000 | IT Firms, Cybersecurity Companies, Police & CBI |
| Fingerprint Expert | Entry-level (0–3 years) | INR 3,00,000 – INR 5,00,000 | Police Departments, SFSLs |
| Forensic Ballistics Expert | Mid-level (3–6 years) | INR 4,50,000 – INR 7,50,000 | Defence, Police, Research Labs |
| Handwriting / Document Examiner | Entry to Mid-level | INR 3,60,000 – INR 6,00,000 | Law Firms, Private Forensic Labs |
| Forensic Consultant (Independent) | Senior (8+ years) | INR 10,00,000+ (varies by case) | Law Firms, Corporates, Private Investigations |
Forensic Scientist in India in Government
As aforementioned, aspirants can secure forensic science-related jobs in the government sector through government recruitment exams. The job roles in this sector are as follows:
- Forensic Scientist at State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs)
- Senior Scientific Officer at Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL)
- Forensic Expert at National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
- DNA Analyst at Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Labs
- Forensic Chemist at Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), Ministry of Home Affairs
- Toxicologist at Government Hospitals/Medical Colleges for forensic cases
- Ballistics Expert at Police Forensic Units
- Forensic Serologist at Government Forensic Labs
Forensic Scientist in India in Private Sector
In the private sector, the job roles of forensic scientists include the following: These professionals are often employed by private investigation agencies, law firms, and corporate security firms. They may also work in private laboratories specialising in forensic analysis, providing expert reports and consultation services for legal cases.
| Organisation / Sector | Job Roles / Opportunities | Responsibilities |
| Private Forensic Laboratories | Forensic Analyst, DNA Analyst, Toxicologist, Ballistics Expert | Analysis of crime scene evidence, lab testing, reporting results |
| Cybersecurity Companies | Cyber Forensic Expert, Digital Forensics Analyst | Investigating cybercrimes, recovering digital evidence, fraud detection |
| Law Firms | Forensic Consultant, Document Examiner | Providing forensic analysis for legal cases, handwriting and document verification |
| Insurance Companies | Fraud Detection Analyst, Forensic Auditor | Investigating claims, detecting insurance fraud using forensic methods |
| Banks & Financial Institutions | Forensic Auditor, Cyber Forensic Specialist | Analyzing financial fraud, cybercrime investigations, risk assessment |
| Private Detective Agencies | Forensic Investigator, Crime Scene Analyst | Conducting private investigations, collecting evidence, preparing forensic reports |
| Educational & Research Institutions (Private) | Research Scientist, Lab Instructor | Teaching, conducting research in forensic science, developing new techniques |
| Health & Drug Testing Labs (Private) | Forensic Toxicologist, Pathologist | Drug and alcohol testing, toxicology reports, clinical forensic analysis |
Conclusion
Forensic science offers a dynamic career in India, combining scientific expertise with crime-solving skills. With proper education, practical training, and specialisation, aspirants can explore government or private opportunities. From lab analysis to cyber forensics, this field provides rewarding roles, competitive salaries, and the chance to contribute significantly to social justice.
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