NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE GRID

NEWS – The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), India’s integrated intelligence platform, has seen a sharp rise in usage, receiving nearly 45,000 data requests per month. Operational since 2023, NATGRID aims to strengthen national security by enabling real-time access to multiple government and private databases.

BACKGROUND AND EVOLUTION

• Conceptualised: 2009, post-26/11 Mumbai attacks
• Operational: 2023
• Objective: Provide seamless, secure, real-time information to investigating and intelligence agencies
• Major Push: Under Home Minister Amit Shah (2019), easing inter-agency issues and expanding user access

 KEY FEATURES OF NATGRID

Integrated Data Access

• Driving licence information
• Aadhaar records
• Airline travel data
• Bank account details
• Select social media account information

Wider Agency Access

• Initially: 10 Central agencies (IB, RAW, NIA, ED, FIU, NCB, DRI etc.)
• Now:
  • Accessible to Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officers
  • Extends to State Police for investigative use

 CHALLENGES REPORTED

• Slow logging process, causing delays
• Lag in receiving information, despite real-time claims
• Some State police units report difficulty navigating the platform

 NATIONAL SECURITY CONTEXT

• Rising cybersecurity threats
  • 41 lakh incidents reported in 2024
• Government strengthening safeguards to protect sensitive datasets

SIGNIFICANCE FOR INTERNAL SECURITY

• Reduces dependence on multiple agencies for data
• Enables faster “join the dots” intelligence building
• Allows data access without FIR requirement, aiding early threat detection
• Enhances coordination between Central and State forces