Relevance: GS-3 (Internal Security); Source: The Hindu

India’s National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) is now handling nearly 45,000 data requests per month, expanding access to State police after years of limited central-only use.

About NATGRID & Its Utility

• NATGRID (conceptualised 2009, post 26/11 attacks) is a real-time intelligence platform enabling security agencies to access government + private databases through a single interface.
  
• It integrates critical datasets: driving licence, Aadhaar registration, airline PNR, bank records, and social media activity.
  
• Access expanded from 10 Central agencies to Superintendent-rank police officers across States, improving on-ground investigations.
  
• Removes the need for multi-agency data requests; supports faster “join-the-dots” analysis during investigations and counter-terror operations.

Strengthens India’s national security architecture by enabling real-time, consolidated, and secure intelligence access across agencies.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding NATGRID:

1. NATGRID was conceptualised in response to the Kargil Review Committee recommendations.
   
2. NATGRID provides real-time access to select government and private databases through a unified platform.
   
3. An FIR must be registered before an agency can access data via NATGRID.
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3