Forensic Science colleges in India

Forensic Science is the application of scientific knowledge to criminal investigations and legal problems. Forensic science is a multidisciplinary subject that encompasses various fields such as Biology, Physics, Geology, Psychology, Social Science, etc. Forensic Scientists collect, preserve and analyse scientific evidence during the course of an investigation. The scope of Forensic Science is vast. Students after completing their studies get jobs in various government and private sectors.

Various universities in India offer certificate, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Forensic Science. After completing postgraduation, candidates can even opt for PhD in Forensic Sciences.

India is home to prestigious institutes like Banaras Hindu University (BHU) – Varanasi, Amity University - Noida, Chandigarh University (CU) – Chandigarh, Parul University – Vadodara, Lovely Professional University (LPU) – Jalandhar, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences (KITS) – Coimbatore, SAGE University (SU) – Indore, Vivekananda Global University (VGU) – Jaipur, etc., to pursue Forensic Science. Students planning to study Forensic Science in India can choose from various specialisations. Some of the popular specialisations in Forensic Science are:

• Forensic Biology

• Forensic Serology

• Forensic Chemistry

• Forensic Toxicology

• Forensic Ballistics

• Forensic Entomology

• Forensic Botany

To work in the field of Forensic Science, candidates must have the following skillsets:

• Knowledge of various fields of science

• Technical Skills

• Intelligent

• Strong Analytical Skills

• Keen Observation

Forensic Science Eligibility Criteria

Candidates need to meet the following eligibility criteria to enroll themselves in Forensic Science courses:

• For admission to undergraduate courses, candidates must have completed Class 12th from Science stream.

• Candidates must have scored minimum 55 percent aggregate in Class 12th.

• Admission is offered to candidates based on merit.

There are a total of 80 colleges which offer Forensic Science course in full-time, part-time and online mode of study, out of which 54 colleges are private and 22 are government. Around 80 colleges offer different credentials in Forensic Science, i.e. degree, diploma and certificate courses. Various exams accepted in India for Forensic Science include JEE Main, GATE, Karnataka PGCET, LPU NEST, SEE, SAT India, CUEE, GPAT, UGC NET, SUAT, etc.

Here is the list of some of the top private and public Forensic Science colleges in India:

Private Colleges	Course Fee (in Rs)
Amity University, Noida	2,52,000 – 4,11,000
Chandigarh University (CU)	50,000 – 2,00,000
Parul University	1,20,000 – 1,80,000
Lovely Professional University	1,90,000 – 3,60,000
KITS, Coimbatore	2,03,000 – 2,43,000

 

Public Colleges	Course Fee (in Rs)
BHU - Banaras Hindu University	1,60,000
Pondicherry University	23,670
Maharaja's College, University of Mysore, Mysore	23,150
Gujarat University	30,000
MDU Rohtak - Maharshi Dayanand University	20,270

Refer to the infographic below showcasing the number of Forensic Science colleges in India based on ownership:

What are the study options after Forensic Science?

The scope of Forensic Science has increased exponentially. There are a lot of job opportunities in the field of Forensic Science. Mostly, job prospects are in the government sector, especially in various law enforcement agencies such as police, legal system and investigative services of the central government. However, some private agencies too hire candidates who have relevant qualification in the field.

The Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), etc. hire trained forensic scientists. Students can also opt for teaching in institutes that offer Forensic Science courses. Students also get hired in Anti-terrorist Operations, Cybercrime Investigation, Protection of Human Rights, Environment, Intellectual Property Rights, laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, law firms, banks, etc.

Once students have completed their graduation, they can go for a postgraduation degree. Eventually, after completing postgraduation, they can go for a doctoral degree in Forensic Science.

Postgraduate degrees in Forensic Science

• MSc in Forensic Science

• MSc (Forensic Science and Criminology)

• MSc (Information Security and Cyber Forensics)

• MD (Forensic Medicine and Toxicology)

Diploma courses in Forensic Science

• PG Diploma in Forensic Science

• Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology

• Diploma in Fingerprint Examination

• Advanced Diploma Course Certification in Forensic Sciences and Criminology

Certificate courses in Forensic Science

• Certificate Course in Forensic Science

• Certificate Course in the Basics of Diet Therapy

Doctoral degree in Forensic Science

• PhD in Forensic Science

• MPhil in Forensic Science

Forensic Science Placement Trends

A career in Forensic Science largely depends on one’s area of specialisation. Students can find jobs in government sector, private agencies, hospitals, laboratories, etc. The salary of Forensic Scientists ranges from Rs 3-4 LPA. Some of the job profiles are listed below:

• Investigative Officers

• Legal Counsellors

• Forensic Expert

• Forensic Scientist

• Crime Scene Investigator

• Teacher / Professor

• Forensic Engineer

• Forensic Pathologists

• Forensic Psychologists

• Forensic Anthropologists

• Toxicologist

Forensic Science Modes of Study

Forensic Science courses in India can be pursued from various colleges through different modes such as full-time, part-time and online. Around 76 Forensic Science colleges offer full-time courses while the remaining offer part-time and online. Some of these colleges are tabulated below: 

Full-time Mode of Study

Some of the popular colleges that offer full-time Forensic Science courses include:

S.No.	College Name	Location
1	CU	Chandigarh
2	Parul University	Vadodara
3	BHU	Varanasi
4	Amity University	Noida
5	LPU	Jalandhar

 Part-time Mode of Study 

Some of the popular colleges that offer part-time Forensic Science courses include:

S.No.	College Name	Location
1	LPU	Jalandhar
2	St. Xavier's College	Mumbai
3	NCU	Gurugram
4	Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College (SGTB)	Delhi
5	Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya (MGAHV)	Wardha

Online Mode of Study 

Some of the popular colleges that offer online Forensic Science courses include:

S.No.	College Name	Location
1	St. Xavier's College	Mumbai

Refer to the infographic below to get a detailed overview:

How affordable is studying Forensic Science in India?

Based on the below pie chart, it can be estimated that pursuing Forensic Science in India is economical as 30% of the colleges have annual fees ranging from Rs 1-2 lakh. Some of these colleges are:

• CU, Chandigarh
• Parul University, Vadodara
• BHU, Varanasi
• SU, Indore
• LPU, Jalandhar

Around 28% Forensic Science colleges have a fee structure of less than Rs 1 lakh. Some of these colleges are:

• PU, Pondicherry
• Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
• CU, Chandigarh
• SAGE University (SU), Bhopal
• MDU, Rohtak

Around 20% Forensic Science colleges have a fee structure that ranges from Rs 2-3 lakh. Some of these colleges are:

• CU, Chandigarh
• LPU, Jalandhar
• Amity University, Noida
• KITS, Coimbatore
• Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU), Gandhinagar

Around 13% Forensic Science colleges have a fee structure that ranges from Rs 3-5 lakh. Some of these colleges are:

• Amity University, Noida
• LPU, Jalandhar
• The NorthCap University (NCU), Gurugram
• Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal
• Garden City University (GCU), Bengaluru

Around 9% Forensic Science colleges have a fee structure of more than Rs 5 lakh. Some of these colleges are:

• NCU, Gurugram
• SU, Bhopal
• Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology (RAIT), Navi Mumbai
• Sandip University (SUN), Nashik
• GD Goenka University (GDGU), Gurugram

Refer to the infographic below to get a detailed overview of the segregation of Forensic Science Colleges in India based on fee:

Which are the most popular Forensic Science Exams in India?

The most popular entrance exams for studying Forensic Science in India are JEE Main and GATE. While scoring good marks in JEE Main will help you land in colleges like SU, Bhopal and NCU, Gurugram, GATE is your ticket to your colleges like Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum and New Horizon College of Engineering (NHCE), Bengaluru.

Rest of the colleges accept Karnataka PGCET, LPU NEST, SEE, SAT India, CUEE, GPAT, UGC NET, SUAT, etc. for admission into their colleges.

Refer to the infographic below to get a detailed overview:

Shiksha Singh