The Indian government has recently linked the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) with the National Population Register (NPR) to improve intelligence gathering and speed up criminal investigations. This move will allow law enforcement and intelligence agencies to access verified demographic and family-linked data, which can help in identifying suspects, their networks, and movement patterns.
National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)
Purpose
- Real-time intelligence and data access platform developed after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks (2008) to address gaps in intelligence coordination.
- Enables swift access to critical information for law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Administration
- Functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- Acts as a secure backbone for information-sharing among authorised agencies.
Data Sources Integrated
- Consolidates 20+ categories of civil and commercial databases.
- Includes banking & financial transactions, telecom records, passport & immigration data, tax identifiers, vehicle registrations, police FIRs (CCTNS), and other e-governance platforms.
- Provides on-demand, role-based access; data is not stored permanently.
Agencies with Access
- Initially: Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), National Investigation Agency (NIA).
- Later: Enforcement Directorate, Financial Intelligence Unit, Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
- Current reform: Superintendent of Police (SP) level officers at the state level also granted access.
Gandiva Analytical Backbone
- Advanced analytics and intelligence tool for multi-source data fusion and entity resolution.
- Performs facial recognition using Telecom KYC, driving licence, vehicle registration, and other photo-based identity systems.
- Helps connect unrelated data points and speeds up suspect identification and tracking.
National Population Register (NPR)
Purpose
- Comprehensive database of usual residents of India, maintained on a family-wise basis.
- First step towards creating the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
History
- First compiled in 2010.
- Updated in 2015 through door-to-door enumeration covering ~119 crore residents.
Legal Basis
- Anchored in the Citizenship Act of India.
Key Takeaways
- NATGRID was created after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks
- Operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Integrates over 20 categories of civil and commercial databases
- Gandiva is the analytics tool enabling facial recognition and entity resolution
- NPR is a family-wise database of residents, first compiled in 2010
- Linking NATGRID with NPR enhances network analysis and counter-terror investigations
Question
Q. Under which ministry does NATGRID function?
A. Ministry of Defence
B. Ministry of Home Affairs
C. Ministry of Electronics & IT
D. Ministry of Finance