Nearly 18,000 police stations across India now use a centralised digital network to track crimes and criminals in real time, the government told Parliament on Tuesday.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar informed the Lok Sabha that 17,792 police stations were connected to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) as of 1 January 2026. The platform allows police forces, courts and investigative agencies to share information digitally.
For millions of Indians who interact with police stations each year, the network means they can now file complaints online, track investigation status and download copies of First Information Reports (FIRs), the formal document that sets a criminal investigation in motion. Previously, many of these tasks required multiple visits to police stations and long waiting times.
What CCTNS does for police and citizens
CCTNS is a nationwide e-governance project, a government initiative that uses digital technology to deliver public services. Launched in 2009 under the National e-Governance Plan, it aims to computerise core police functions that were traditionally paper-based.
According to Kumar’s written reply, the platform now handles registration of complaints, FIRs, investigation records, charge sheets, court disposals and appeals electronically. This allows police officers to access criminal records from any connected station rather than relying on physical files or telephone inquiries.
The system also enables searches across national and state-level databases of crime and criminals. State police forces, central investigative agencies, courts, prisons, forensic laboratories and prosecution departments can share data through the network, potentially reducing delays in investigations that span multiple jurisdictions.
Online services available to the public
Citizens can access multiple services through two portals: the Digital Police Portal and the Central Citizen Services Portal. These include searching for missing persons, generating vehicle No Objection Certificates (NOCs), a clearance document required for vehicle transfers, accessing information on proclaimed offenders and locating the nearest police station.
State police portals offer nine mandated online services, the minister said. These include filing complaints online, tracking complaint status, downloading FIR copies, accessing details of arrested and wanted persons, finding information on missing or kidnapped persons, checking records of stolen or recovered vehicles, arms and property, applying for various NOCs, submitting verification requests and downloading police forms.
The availability and functionality of these services vary across states, as policing is a state subject under the Constitution.
Coverage and implementation gaps remain
India has approximately 17,000 to 18,000 police stations according to Bureau of Police Research and Development data, suggesting near-complete coverage of stations on the network. However, the government’s statement did not clarify how many of these stations actively use all CCTNS features or whether connectivity issues affect rural areas.
The project has faced implementation challenges since its launch. Initial deadlines were missed multiple times, and a 2019 parliamentary standing committee report had noted concerns about data quality and training of police personnel to use the system effectively.
The government said the growing adoption of CCTNS is intended to improve operational efficiency and public access to policing services through digital platforms while strengthening inter-agency coordination at the national level.
