Scope of ISIS Investigation Research Cell in NIA broadened: Govt

The government has expanded the scope of the ISIS Investigation Research Cell (IIRC) at the NIA to other terror attack sites and renamed it as the Counter Terrorism Research Cell (CTRC), the Parliament was informed on Tuesday (December 2, 2025).

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Nityanand Rai said special sections such as Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD), Anti-Cyber ​​Terrorism Division (ACTD), Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Cell, Financial Analysis Unit (FAU) and a Special Cell comprising legal experts have also been created in the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

He said a special unit – National Terrorism Data Fusion and Analysis Center (NTDFAC) – has been set up at NIA to enable big data analytics and facilitate automation and digitization of various investigative processes and procedures that will strengthen oversight and increase efficiency, consistency and accountability.

“The government created the ISIS Investigation Research Cell (IIRC) at the NIA in January 2018 and expanded its scope to other areas of terrorism and renamed it as the Counter Terrorism Research Cell (CTRC),” Mr. Rai said.

Giving details of steps taken to strengthen NIA, the official said the agency currently has a total of 1,901 sanctioned posts, of which 769 have been sanctioned in the last five years.

“Also, NIA’s mandate has been expanded to investigate crimes related to Explosive Substances Act, 1908, Trafficking in Persons, Cyber ​​Terrorism and Arms Act, 1959. NIA’s footprint has been expanded across India by setting up 21 branches in different parts of the country, including 02 Regional Offices (in Guwahati and Jammu) and Headquarters in Delhi,” the Minister said in his reply.

He is the NIA’s expert on crimes affecting India’s sovereignty, security and integrity, friendly relations with foreign states, matters related to international agreements, etc. He said he was investigating and prosecuting those mentioned in the NIA Act 2008 schedule.