Sun Dec 07 16:46:50 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), India’s real-time database access platform for security agencies, is now processing around 45,000 requests monthly. Law enforcement agencies, including state police, have been urged to increase its usage following a recent DGP conference. While the platform offers access to a wide range of data, including driving license information, bank records, and social media details, some state police officials report challenges in accessing information quickly. Originally conceived after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and expedited under Home Minister Amit Shah, NATGRID aims to streamline data access for investigations and intelligence gathering while maintaining data security amid rising cybersecurity threats.
News Article:
NATGRID Usage Soars as India Urges Wider Adoption for Law Enforcement
New Delhi – December 7, 2025 – India’s National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), the centralized database access platform for security and intelligence agencies, is experiencing a surge in usage, processing approximately 45,000 requests each month, according to government officials.
The platform, designed to provide real-time access to a wide array of government and private databases, including driving license details, Aadhaar registration, airline passenger information, bank records, and social media activity, was a key topic at the annual Director General of Police (DGP) conference held in Raipur from November 28-30. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the conference, urged law enforcement agencies, including state police forces, to significantly increase their utilization of NATGRID in all investigations.
Access to NATGRID has been expanded to Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officers, broadening its reach beyond the original ten central agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
However, several state police officials have reported difficulties in utilizing the platform effectively. Concerns have been raised regarding slow login times and delays in retrieving desired information, despite NATGRID’s purported real-time functionality.
The platform, first conceived in 2009 following the Mumbai terror attacks, gained renewed momentum under Home Minister Amit Shah in 2019. Shah streamlined inter-agency cooperation and expanded access to state police forces.
Amid growing concerns about cybersecurity, the government emphasizes that NATGRID is crucial for enhancing national security and data integrity. India faced over 2 million cybersecurity incidents in 2024. According to a government source, NATGRID eliminates the need for agencies to gather data from multiple sources. Further, confidentiality of the user is maintained during information retrieval. The officials suggest NATGRID can significantly expedite investigations and improve intelligence gathering.
NATGRID has partnered with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), granting it access to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) database, linking approximately 14,000 police stations nationwide. All states are mandated to log First Information Reports (FIRs) on the CCTNS platform.
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