FACT 2026 vs. Previous FACTs:
What’s Really Changed?
A deep-dive comparison every forensic science aspirant needs to read before filling the form
If you’ve been tracking the Forensic Aptitude and Calibre Test (FACT) since its inception in 2018, you already know it evolves with every cycle. FACT 2026 — organized by NFSU Delhi Campus (LNJN NICFS) — arrives with the most sweeping structural, eligibility, and policy changes the exam has seen to date. This post breaks it all down so you don’t miss a single update.
01 —— Why FACT Exists — And Why 2026 Is a Turning Point
FACT was launched in 2018 as a benchmarking test for forensic postgraduates, born out of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) recognition that FSLs across India were severely short-staffed. Candidates who qualify can be hired on contractual or project-based assignments to help clear the backlog of pending forensic reports.
FACT 2026 carries extra significance because of one landmark legislation: the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which now mandates forensic investigation for offences punishable with seven years or more. This has exploded the volume of forensic casework expected across state and central FSLs — making a larger, better-tested talent pool more critical than ever before.
02 —— Quick Comparison: FACT 2024 vs. FACT 2026
| Parameter | FACT 2024 | FACT 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Date | 12.05.2024 | 30.05.2026 (Revised) Changed |
| Application Window | 01.04.2024 – 21.04.2024 (20 days) | 07.04.2026 – 10.05.2026 (33 days) Extended |
| Mode of Exam | Fully Offline (CBT) | Not specified as online — likely OMR/offline Watch |
| Section B Subjects | 5 Subjects | 7 Subjects Expanded |
| New Subjects Added | — | Forensic Biological Sciences, Crime Scene Management New |
| Eligibility: Forensic Bio | Not available | M.Sc. Botany / Zoology / Microbiology / Biotech etc. New |
| Eligibility: Crime Scene Mgmt | Not available | B.Sc./M.Sc. Forensic Science (with Physics/Maths at UG) New |
| FACT Plus: Forensic Psych. | 3 years work experience (accepted) | Only UGC-NET Psychology/Criminology Tightened |
| Registration Fee – GEN Male | ₹1,000 | ₹1,500 +50% |
| Registration Fee – GEN Female / OBC / SC / ST / PH | ₹500 | ₹750 +50% |
| Answer Key Challenge | Allowed (₹1,000/question fee) | No mention — removed or deferred Changed |
| FACT Plus: Psych. via Work Exp. | ✅ Allowed (3-year post-qual experience) | ❌ Removed — NET only Removed |
| Exam Centers | 8 cities incl. Kolkata | 8 cities — Guwahati replaces Kolkata Changed |
| Integrated B.Sc.–M.Sc. eligibility | Only M.Sc. in Forensic Science listed | B.Sc.–M.Sc. Forensic Science (Integrated) explicitly listed Clarified |
| Qualifying Marks | 50% per section; 60% overall (5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD) | Same — 50% per section; 60% overall ✔ Unchanged |
03 —— Biggest Change: Two Brand-New Subjects in Section B
FACT 2024’s Section B offered five subjects. FACT 2026 expands this to seven subjects — a significant broadening of the exam’s scope. Here’s what was available before and what’s new:
Section B — Subjects in FACT 2024
Section B — Subjects in FACT 2026 (7 Total)
Forensic Biological Sciences
Open to M.Sc. graduates in Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Forensic Odontology, Physical Anthropology, and Forensic Science (with Bio at UG). Also B.Tech/BE in Biotechnology.
Crime Scene Management
Targets B.Sc./M.Sc. Forensic Science graduates and those with Integrated Forensic Science or Criminology degrees who studied Physics or Mathematics at graduate level.
Why this matters: These additions signal a maturation of FACT. Biological casework — DNA, serology, entomology — and crime scene investigation together form the largest chunk of FSL workload. Including them directly acknowledges the real-world composition of forensic laboratories.
04 —— Eligibility Updates You Must Know
4a. Integrated Degrees Explicitly Recognized
FACT 2026 for the first time explicitly lists B.Sc.–M.Sc. Forensic Science (Integrated) as a qualifying degree across multiple subjects. This is a welcome clarification for the growing number of students enrolled in 5-year integrated programs at NFSU and other universities. Previously, brochures only listed “M.Sc. in Forensic Science,” leaving integrated-program students in an ambiguous position.
4b. AIC (Associateship of Institute of Chemist) Retained
For Forensic Document Examination and Forensic Chemical Sciences, the AIC-by-examination route remains valid — good news for chemistry professionals coming through industry pathways.
4c. FACT Plus — Work Experience Route Dropped for Psychology
This is the most significant tightening in FACT 2026. In FACT 2024, candidates applying for FACT Plus in Forensic Psychology could qualify on the basis of three years of post-qualification experience in analytical methods and/or research. FACT 2026 removes this experience pathway entirely — only UGC-NET in Psychology or Criminology is now accepted for FACT Plus eligibility in Forensic Psychology.
- If you were planning to appear for FACT Plus using your work experience, that route is no longer available in 2026.
- You must now qualify UGC-NET in Psychology or Criminology to be eligible for FACT Plus.
- You can still appear for FACT (basic level) with an M.Sc. in Psychology / Criminology / Forensic Psychology.
05 —— Online vs. Offline — An Important Possible Shift
FACT 2024’s brochure prominently announced “Mode of Test: Fully Online” on the very cover page. FACT 2026’s brochure carries no such announcement. While the 2026 brochure doesn’t explicitly state it’s offline, the absence of CBT-specific language — combined with the absence of “computer-based” anywhere in the document — suggests candidates should be prepared for a possible return to pen-and-paper / OMR mode.
Clarification on the mode of examination is expected to be updated on www.nfsu.ac.in. Keep checking the official website.
06 —— Important Dates — FACT 2026
Application Portal Opens
Start of online submission and fee payment via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking or UPI.
Application Portal Closes
Last date for online submission and fee payment. No applications accepted after this date. Apply early to avoid technical issues.
FACT Exam Day — Forenoon Session
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Section A (50 Qs) + Section B: one of 7 specialized subjects (70 Qs). Total: 120 questions.
FACT Plus Exam Day — Afternoon Session
02:30 PM – 04:30 PM. Same structure. Both exams on the same day — note that separate forms must be filled if appearing for both.
Note: Dates are subject to revision by NFSU. Always verify at www.nfsu.ac.in.
07 —— Registration Fee — A 50% Hike Across the Board
FACT 2026 has increased the registration fee by 50% for all categories. Here’s a direct comparison:
| GEN Male | ₹1,000 |
| GEN Female | ₹500 |
| OBC-NC / SC / ST / PH | ₹500 |
| GEN Male | ₹1,500 |
| GEN Female | ₹750 |
| OBC-NC / SC / ST / PH | ₹750 |
The fee structure for FACT and FACT Plus is the same — so if you plan to appear for both exams separately, you will pay twice. Also note: fees exclude applicable GST. Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstance.
08 —— Exam Centers — Kolkata Replaced by Guwahati
Both editions offer eight exam centers, but there is one notable change: Kolkata, which was available in FACT 2024, has been replaced by Guwahati in FACT 2026. This reflects NFSU’s effort to strengthen its presence in the North-East, especially relevant given the region’s growing forensic talent pool.
FACT 2026 — Exam Centers
Agartala · Bhopal · Chennai · Delhi · Gandhinagar · Guwahati ★ New · Mumbai · Nagpur
FACT 2024 — Exam Centers
Agartala · Bhopal · Chennai · Delhi · Gandhinagar · Kolkata · Mumbai · Nagpur
09 —— Answer Key Challenge Process — Status Unclear
One of the most candidate-friendly features of FACT 2024 was its transparent answer key challenge mechanism: the official answer key was published the day after the exam, candidates had until May 15 to file challenges at ₹1,000 per question, and the final key with results was declared by May 30. Refunds were issued if a challenge succeeded.
FACT 2026’s brochure makes no mention of any answer key or challenge process. This could mean the process has been redesigned (possibly not applicable if the exam shifts offline), or the details will be published later as an addendum. Candidates should watch the NFSU website for clarification on this important transparency mechanism.
10 —— Qualifying Criteria — Unchanged (Good News!)
The qualifying mark structure remains the same across both editions:
Section-wise Minimum
Each candidate must score 50% or more in both Section A and Section B individually.
Overall Cut-off
60% and above in total to be declared qualified. SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates get a 5% relaxation (i.e., 55% overall).
No Negative Marking
All 120 questions carry 1 mark each. Wrong answers are not penalized. Attempt every question.
11 —— The Preamble Shift — A Change in Philosophy
Comparing the opening paragraphs of both brochures reveals a meaningful shift in how NFSU frames the purpose of FACT.
FACT 2024 framed the exam primarily as a problem-solving measure — FSLs have pending cases, staff shortages, and inconsistent training quality; FACT creates a pool to fill that gap.
FACT 2026 frames the exam in a much larger national narrative: the BNSS mandate, the growing role of forensic science in ensuring “fairness, transparency, and credibility in judicial outcomes,” and the need for a standardized national talent pipeline to support “nation-building” and “social harmony.”
This is not cosmetic. It signals that FACT is transitioning from a stopgap hiring tool into a nationally recognized professional certification — with significantly higher long-term stakes for qualified candidates.
🔍 The Bottom Line for FACT 2026 Aspirants
FACT 2026 is a more ambitious, more inclusive, and more rigorous exam than its predecessors. Two new subject streams open doors for biologists and crime scene specialists. But tighter FACT Plus norms, higher fees, and an uncertain exam mode mean you need to plan carefully. Start early, confirm your eligibility for the right subject stream, and keep checking nfsu.ac.in.
Visit Official NFSU Website →12 —— Quick Checklist Before You Apply
- Identify the correct subject stream from the updated 7-subject list in Section B.
- Check Table 1 carefully for your qualifying degree and mandatory UG subjects.
- If applying for FACT Plus, verify you hold the required NET/GATE/GPAT qualification — work experience is no longer accepted for Psychology.
- Keep your name and documents exactly as in your Matriculation certificate.
- Pay the revised fee: ₹1,500 (GEN Male) or ₹750 (GEN Female/OBC/SC/ST/PH) — excluding GST.
- Choose your exam center wisely — Guwahati is new, Kolkata is no longer listed.
- Do not submit multiple registrations for the same exam — they will be cancelled.
- Download and preserve your Registration Number after form submission.
- Carry Photo ID + e-Admit Card printout on exam day. No electronic devices allowed.
