Over 28% Posts In NIA Vacant, Yet Conviction Rate In Last 3 Years Soared To 97.43%

News18

29-07-2025

As of June 30, 2025, the NIA had 1,901 sanctioned posts, of which 541 were unfilled
India's primary counter-terrorism law enforcement body, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has become one of the organisation's with the highest vacancies. According to data shared by the ministry of home affairs, a staggering 28.45% of sanctioned posts in the NIA remain vacant, including one of additional director general, even as the agency handles hundreds of high-stakes investigations across the country. This was revealed in a written response to an unstarred question posed in the Lok Sabha by lawmaker Mala Roy.
As of June 30, 2025, the NIA had 1,901 sanctioned posts, of which 541 were unfilled. The data exposes critical shortfalls across both field and technical positions, with significant gaps in posts like inspectors (77 vacant), sub-inspectors (93), assistant sub-inspectors (54), and constables (37). Several specialist roles in cyber forensics, ballistics, and scientific analysis also remain vacant, raising concerns over the agency's capacity to deal with increasingly complex crimes.
A former DG told News18 that while the agency's performance is outstanding under pressure, prolonged understaffing could impair future investigations. 'Even when the conviction rate is exceptional, it's not sustainable in the long term with such vacancies," he said, noting that long hours and staff shortages could lead to investigative lapses.
The NIA is India's premier agency investigating all terror cases. It has been praised for in-depth professional investigation of scheduled offences using the latest scientific methods and setting standards to ensure effective and speedy trials for all cases entrusted to it. According to the agency, the NIA aims to develop into a thoroughly professional, result-oriented organisation, upholding the Constitution of India and the laws of the land while maintaining professional and cordial relations with the governments of states and union territories and other law enforcement agencies in compliance with the legal provisions of the NIA Act. It also assists all states and other investigating agencies in the investigation of terrorist cases.
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