What Is ABHIGYAN? Amit Shah Launches App That Identifies Criminal Suspects in 35 Seconds

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched ABHIGYAN, a digital policing tool designed to help law enforcement agencies identify criminal suspects within seconds using fingerprint-based verification. The application enables police personnel to match fingerprints against a national database of more than 1.3 crore records, significantly reducing the time required to verify identities and access criminal histories.

The initiative is part of the government's broader push to modernise policing through technology and improve real-time access to criminal records for field officers.

How ABHIGYAN Works

ABHIGYAN is integrated with the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), a nationwide database containing fingerprint records of offenders.

Amit Shah Launches App That Identifies Criminal Suspects in 35 Seconds

आज NCRB का 'ABHIGYAN' मोबाइल एप्लिकेशन लॉन्च किया। 1.3 करोड़ फिंगरप्रिंट के डेटाबेस NAFIS का यह पोर्टेबल वर्जन ऑन-फील्ड पुलिस कर्मियों को सीधे उनके स्मार्टफोन पर अपराधियों के विशाल डेटाबेस तक पहुँचने की शक्ति देता है। टू-स्टेप ऑथेंटिकेशन से सुरक्षित यह ऐप चंद सेकंड में रियल-टाइम… pic.twitter.com/wH5iYZtWJD

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 19, 2026

When a police officer scans a suspect's fingerprint during a field operation or at a police station, the app processes the data in real time and compares it against records stored in the central database. The system can reportedly identify matches in around 35 seconds, eliminating the need to wait for manual forensic verification. Amit Shah Announces High-level Panel to Probe Demographic Changes, Cites National Security Concerns.

Officials say this capability can help officers quickly determine whether a person has a criminal record and obtain relevant details during investigations.

Real-Time Access to Criminal Records

The app is intended exclusively for use by police and security agencies. It allows officers to instantly access information during routine vehicle checks, street patrols and other field operations. ‘Not a Single Hindu Refugee Will Be Deported’: Amit Shah Assures Citizenship Protection During BJP Parivartan Yatra in West Bengal.

According to officials, the technology can be particularly useful in identifying repeat offenders, tracing suspects involved in crimes and verifying the identities of individuals whose backgrounds are unknown.

The system also provides alerts when officers encounter individuals with serious criminal histories, improving situational awareness and officer safety.

Linked to National Crime Databases

ABHIGYAN is connected to national criminal databases covering a wide range of offences, including cases related to human trafficking, narcotics and other serious crimes.

Because the database is continuously updated as new records are added, authorities expect the system's effectiveness and coverage to expand over time.

Officials believe that faster identification and access to records will strengthen investigations, improve evidence collection and support quicker law enforcement responses.

Shift Towards Technology-Driven Policing

The launch of ABHIGYAN reflects a broader shift in Indian policing from paper-based record systems to digital and technology-driven methods.

By providing near-instant access to criminal records, the government aims to reduce delays in investigations and improve coordination among law enforcement agencies. Officials also expect the system to act as a deterrent by making past criminal records more readily accessible during police checks.

The app is expected to play a key role in modernising criminal identification processes and enhancing the efficiency of police operations across the country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 20, 2026 11:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).