Relevance for UPSC: GS Paper II (Governance, Civil Liberties) & GS Paper III (Internal Security)
Source:Th Hindu ;  Ministry of Home Affairs; parliamentary responses

Context

The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has been linked with the National Population Register (NPR), enabling authorised security agencies to access family-wise resident data for faster and more accurate intelligence analysis.

Core Concepts Explained

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)

• A secure technology platform created after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
• Integrates data from multiple government databases to assist counter-terrorism, organised crime, and serious offence investigations.
• Access is restricted to authorised agencies such as the National Investigation Agency and State police.

National Population Register (NPR)

• A register of usual residents of India, prepared under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Contains demographic and family linkage details; it is distinct from the Census.

Why the Linkage Matters

• Enables family-link analysis and quicker suspect identification.
• Strengthens data-driven policing and intelligence coordination.
• Raises concerns related to privacy, surveillance, and proportionality under Article 21, highlighting the need for strong legal safeguards.

Q. With reference to the National Intelligence Grid and the National Population Register, consider the following statements:

1. The National Intelligence Grid enables authorised agencies to access integrated databases for security purposes.
2. The National Population Register is legally identical to the Population Census.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?