NFSU Opens One-Time Domain Shift Window for FACT 2026 Candidates: Forensic Biological Sciences & Crime Scene Management Now Accessible
The Nodal Officer of FACT 2026 has issued a formal notice permitting registered candidates who applied under five original examination areas to now switch to the two newly added domains — but only within strict one-time conditions.
NICFS National Forensic Science University, Delhi Campus
(Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India)
Forensic Aptitude and Calibre Test 2026 — FACT and FACT Plus
Candidates who have applied under the earlier notified areas, namely: Forensic Ballistics and Physical Sciences, Forensic Document Examination, Digital Forensics, Forensic Chemical Sciences, Forensic Psychology and who wish to apply for the updated areas, namely: Forensic Biological Sciences and Crime Scene Management may send a request via email to facthelpdesk@nfsu.ac.in.
Please note that this will be treated as a one-time shift, which is permitted only between the earlier notified areas and the newly updated areas. Requests for changes within the earlier notified areas will not be entertained.
Nodal Officer — FACT 2026
What This Notice Means — and Why It Matters
On 18 April 2026, the Nodal Officer for FACT 2026 at the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Delhi Campus — formally known as the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (LNJN NICFS), functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India — issued a critical notice for all registered candidates.
The notice addresses a structural change in this year's examination: the mid-cycle addition of two entirely new examination domains — Forensic Biological Sciences and Crime Scene Management. Candidates who had already registered under the originally notified five domains are now being given a limited opportunity to change their domain selection to one of these two newly added areas.
"This is the most significant structural expansion in FACT's history — and this notice ensures that no candidate is left behind simply because they registered before the new domains were announced."
Background: How Did Two New Domains Appear Mid-Cycle?
When FACT 2026 was first notified and registrations opened on 7 April 2026, the examination was structured around five specialised Section B subject areas — the same five that have existed since FACT was launched in 2018 as a national forensic science benchmark by MHA. These were:
- Forensic Ballistics & Physical Sciences
- Forensic Document Examination
- Digital Forensics
- Forensic Chemical Sciences
- Forensic Psychology
- Forensic Biological Sciences
- Crime Scene Management
However, a corrigendum issued on 15 April 2026 formally updated the FACT 2026 brochure's eligibility criteria and area list, adding Forensic Biological Sciences and Crime Scene Management as new examination domains — bringing the total number of Section B subjects from five to seven. A second corrigendum on 18 April 2026 further updated areas and eligibility criteria in Tables 1 & 2, as well as the registration fee and payment structure.
Since many candidates had already registered before these two domains were available, the Nodal Officer has now issued this notice permitting a one-time domain switch for those who wish to move to the newly added areas.
The One-Time Shift: Key Rules You Must Know
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Who can request? | Candidates already registered under any of the 5 original domains who now wish to appear in Forensic Biological Sciences or Crime Scene Management |
| Permitted shift direction | Only from the 5 earlier notified areas → to the 2 newly updated areas |
| Is shifting within original 5 allowed? | No — Changes within the earlier notified areas will not be entertained |
| How to request? | Send an email to facthelpdesk@nfsu.ac.in |
| How many times can you shift? | Only once — this is a one-time shift |
| Deadline for request? | Not explicitly stated — email NFSU immediately; registration closes 10 May 2026 |
Why Were Forensic Biological Sciences & Crime Scene Management Added?
The addition of these two domains is far from arbitrary. FACT 2026 carries extraordinary significance because of one landmark piece of legislation: the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which now mandates forensic investigation for offences punishable with seven years or more. This legislative push has dramatically increased India's demand for certified forensic professionals across all specialisations.
Forensic Biological Sciences fills a critical gap that has existed since FACT's inception — microbiology graduates, zoologists, physical anthropologists, and forensic odontologists have long contributed to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) work without any national benchmark certification. This domain formally brings them into the FACT framework.
Crime Scene Management is an even more significant inclusion. It is the only domain in FACT 2026 open to undergraduate (B.Sc.) Forensic Science degree holders — all other Section B domains require a postgraduate degree. This creates a direct national certification pathway for B.Sc. graduates who manage crime scenes without requiring a master's degree first.
Step-by-Step: How to Request Your Domain Shift
FACT 2026 — At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organising Body | NFSU Delhi Campus (LNJN NICFS), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India |
| Exam Date | 30 May 2026 |
| Registration Open | 7 April 2026 |
| Registration Deadline | 10 May 2026 |
| Total Section B Domains | 7 (5 original + 2 newly added) |
| Domain Shift Request | Email: facthelpdesk@nfsu.ac.in |
| Application Links | FACT: forms.gle/qfKAkRzUZVfx6K49A FACT Plus: forms.gle/JbnHRbmebBcGs6R88 |
| Official Website | www.nfsu.ac.in/fact |
| Registration Fee (General) | As per updated brochure (Corrigendum 18 April 2026) — check nfsu.ac.in |
Editor's Analysis: What Should You Do?
If you are a biology graduate — microbiology, zoology, biotechnology, biochemistry, forensic biology — or a B.Sc./M.Sc. Forensic Science student who has not yet registered, the newly added Forensic Biological Sciences domain is your entry point into the national FACT certification framework.
If you are a B.Sc. Forensic Science graduate and were previously ineligible for FACT (since every other domain requires a postgraduate degree), Crime Scene Management is a landmark development. This cycle may be your first opportunity to appear in FACT at all.
The FACT certificate is increasingly the differentiator between shortlisted and rejected applications at India's Forensic Science Laboratories. With the BNSS mandate pushing forensic caseloads higher every month, this certification carries more professional weight in 2026 than in any previous cycle.
Sources & References
- Official Notice — NICFS NFSU Delhi Campus, 18 April 2026 (uploaded PDF, original document)
- NFSU Official FACT Page — corrigenda dated 15 April & 18 April 2026: https://www.nfsu.ac.in/fact
- NFSU Delhi Campus Home Page — FACT 2026 rescheduling notice: https://delhi.nfsu.ac.in/
- Budding Forensic Expert — FACT 2026 Complete Information: https://www.buddingforensicexpert.in/2026/04/fact-2026.html
- Budding Forensic Expert — Two New Domains Added (Forensic Biological Sciences & Crime Scene Management): https://www.buddingforensicexpert.in/2026/04/fact-2026-biology-csm.html
- Budding Forensic Expert — FACT 2026 vs Previous FACTs: https://www.buddingforensicexpert.in/2026/04/fact-2026-vs-previous-fact-changes.html
- Budding Forensic Expert — FACT 2026 Do's & Don'ts: https://www.buddingforensicexpert.in/2026/04/fact-2026-dos-and-donts-rules-candidates.html
- NFSU Twitter / X (@NFSU_Delhi) — FACT 2026 Registration Announcement: https://x.com/NFSU_Delhi/status/2044085944706576466
- FACT 2024 Official Brochure (for historical comparison): https://beta.nfsu.ac.in/data/pdfs/fact/FACT%20Broucher-1-4-24%20.pdf
