New Delhi: India, on Friday, launched its first-ever national-level ‘Organised Crime Network Database’ (OCND). This is being considered a landmark initiative, aimed at dismantling criminal syndicates that have repeatedly compromised internal security.

The OCND was inaugurated by Union home minister Amit Shah during the ‘Anti-Terror Conference-2025’. This is a two-day annual event organised by the country’s anti-terror unit, the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The database is AI-powered and designed to function as an intelligent analytical tool, enabling investigating officers to retrieve comprehensive information on organised criminals instantly, as reported by ANI.

The OCND integrates First Information Reports (FIRs), charge sheets, dossiers, and other critical inputs to organised criminals from across all states, making them accessible to investigating agencies in real time.

The news agency has reported that the NIA developed the OCND in close collaboration with state police forces and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), an integrated data-sharing platform that serves as a master database for counter-terrorism and internal security under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), supporting law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

“Organised crime networks, often operating across state borders and maintaining covert links with terror groups, have long exploited jurisdictional gaps to evade law enforcement. Recognising the gravity of the threat and aligned with the government’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, the NIA developed the OCND in close coordination with state police forces and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID),” ANI has quoted NIA officials as saying.

Organised criminals are typically active in multiple states, resulting in fragmented information scattered across jurisdictions, officials noted.

“Complete details of their activities were not available with any single state police force, allowing criminals to exploit loopholes in the system,” an official said.

“This real-time exchange of information will significantly strengthen coordination among state police forces in dealing with organised criminals,” he added.

The AI-powered database works like ChatGPT and provides all information about organised criminals to the investigation officers concerned immediately, it has been said.

“Besides profile information, the database carries voice matching facility and fingerprint data of such organised criminals helping out the investigation agencies in taking quick action against them,” the official added.

With the operationalisation of the OCND, the NIA will serve as a central facilitator, providing verified, actionable data on organised criminals to investigating agencies across the country.

Officials described the platform as a critical force multiplier in India’s effort to curb organised crime that fuels violence, terror financing and economic disruption.