NIA Full Form

NIA full form National Investigation Agency is India’s anti-terrorist task force.  The agency is authorized to deal with the crimes related to terror throughout the states without any special permission from the states. On December 31, 2008, the agency came into existence with the validation of the National Investigation Agency act 2008 by the Parliament of India, which was elapsed after the life-threatening terror attack in Mumbai. 

Such an attack certainly failed the intelligence and ability to track such activities by existing agencies in India. The Government of India perceived the requirement of a separate body to comply with the terror-related activities in India, hence establishing the National Investigation Agency. The NIA headquarters is in New Delhi and its branches are in Kochi, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Raipur, and Jammu. The NIA maintains its most-wanted list.

What is the Full Form of NIA?

The full form of NIA is National Investigation Academy.

NIA Overview

NIA Chief and Founding Director

Radha Vinod Raju was the founding director of NIA, and he served his position till January 31, 2010. He was replaced by Sharad Chandra Sinha till March 2013. Navneet Rajan Wasan held the position of DG till July 2013. Sharad Kumar in 2017 was appointed as the Chief of the NIA, Y.C. Modi was appointed as the Chief of NIA in September.

NIA Formation Bill

A bill for the formation of NIA was passed in Parliament in December 2008. According to the bill, NIA has coexisting jurisdiction which permits the Central Investigation agency to investigate attacks in any part of the country, covering crimes, along with the challenges to the country's jurisdiction and ethics, bomb blast, skyjacking of ships and aircraft, attack on nuclear installation. The amendments to the NIA attack have brought annoyance in terms of smuggling in extensive quality counterfeit Indian Currency under the definition of a terrorist attack aimed at damaging the monetary stability of the country and hence can be investigated by the NIA.

The field personnel of the agency in the national capital could be drawn from existing central staff and security organizations while in the states, a permanent delegation from the state police could be withdrawn.

On December 30, 2008, the NIA bill and unlawful activities ( prevention) Amendment bill became law as President Pratibha Patil gave her acceptance to the legislation which was passed in the last meeting of the government.

NIA Amendment Bill 2019

On July 17, 2019, the NIA Amendment bill 2019 was passed. The NIA Amendment bill 2019 aims to give more prongs to the investigating powers of the bill. It authorizes the NIA to investigate terror attacks targeting Indian and Indian interests abroad.  The revised legislation that primarily aims to empower the anti territory agency to investigate scheduled offices such as circulation of fake currency, human trafficking, manufacturing and selling of illegal arms, and cyber terrorism was passed with a majority of 273 votes in favour and six against in the Lok Sabha. It was also passed in Rajya Sabha after those in opposition staged a walkout. This bill permitted NIA  to investigate the Sri Lanka Easter Bombings and Kabul Gurudwara Bombings.

NIA Vision 

NIA long-form National Investigation Academy aims to be a profound licensed investigative agency meeting the best international standard. The NIA aims to maintain the standard of anti-terrorism and other national security-related investigations at the national level by evolving it into a highly trained, partnership-oriented workforce. It also aims to formulate obstacles for existing and potential terrorist groups/ individuals. It aims to emerge as a treasury of all terrorist-related information. 

NIA Mission

• Comprehensive professional investigations of scheduled delinquency using the modern scientific method of investigation and setting up such standards to ensure that all the cases delegated to the NIA are investigated.

• To build confidence among the citizens of India through selfless and fearless efforts.

• Ensuring effective and speedy trial.

• Introducing traditional methods and updated technology in all areas of responsibility of the agency.

• Helping all states and other investigating agencies in the investigation of cases related to the terrorist.

• Forming a professional workforce through regular training and exposure to the best standard and procedures.

• Set up a computer database of all the information related to the terrorist and share this data with the States and other agencies.

• Maintaining professional and peaceful relations with the government of states and union territories and other law enforcement agencies in conformity with the legal provision of the NIA act.

• Study and analyze laws related to terrorism in another country and regularly evaluate the adequacy of existing laws in India and suggest changes as and when necessary.