Recent Update:
The central government has revised protocols for the Foreigners Identification
Portal (FIP) within NAFIS and directed States and Union Territories to utilize
fingerprint scanners already available at the district level under the District Police
Module (DPM) of the Immigration Visa Foreigner Registration Tracking
(IVFRT) system.
About NAFIS: What is it?
NAFIS is a nationwide biometric database designed to store and search criminal
fingerprint records across India.
Purpose:
To compile fingerprint data of criminals from all states and UTs, allowing seamless
tracking and identification by law enforcement agencies.
Key Features:
- Enables 24/7 real-time access to fingerprint data for police departments.
- Each individual in the database receives a unique 10-digit National Fingerprint
Number (NFN) based on biometric input. - This NFN remains constant throughout an individual’s life, with various crimes linked to the same NFN even if registered
under separate FIRs. - The NFN’s format includes the state code as the first two digits, followed by a sequential number.
Operational Details:
- NAFIS maintains state-wise partitions to manage local criminal records efficiently.
- Creates a digital repository to enable fingerprint matching for future investigations.
- Allows rapid identification of suspects and links them to existing records like warrants or alerts within other criminal
databases.
Managing Authority:
- The system is operated by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), through the Central Fingerprint Bureau in New
Delhi.