Forensic Aptitude and Caliber Test 2018

FACT
and

FACT Plus
Information Brochure
Sunday, 23 September 2018
10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Mode of test: Fully online

Organizing Institute:
LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science,
Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Delhi

FACT 2018 website: www.nicfs.gov.in

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 IMPORTANT DATES

Advertisement No.

Schedule for Online Application 20/06/2018

(i) Start of Online Submission of Application Form and Fee (11:30 a.m)
deposit through Credit Card, Debit Card or Net Banking Wednesday
A.
(ii) Close of Online Submission of Application Form and Fee 15/07/2018
deposit through Credit Card, Debit Card or Net Banking (5:30 p.m)
Sunday
31/07/2018
B. Issue of e-Admit Card to registered candidates by NIELIT
Tuesday
23/09/2018
C. Date of FACT / FACT Plus
SUNDAY
23/09/2018
D. Issue of Question/Answer Keys (After Examination) Sunday

Last Date for accepting any representation regarding any 26/09/2018

E. Wednesday
anomalies in the Answer Key
30/09/2018
F. Declaration of Result
Sunday

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1. Preamble

Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) in the country are facing an acute shortage of skilled
manpower for disposal of pending cases. Currently, FSLs are hiring professionals on
contractual basis with a view to provide assistance to expedite finalization of forensic reports.

Forensic science curricula as well as the quality of forensic science education imparted vary
widely across the country. There is also certain disconnect between the theory component and
corresponding practical exercises along with skill development.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to conduct an All-India Test with the
objective of benchmarking forensic science graduates and professionals.

A consolidated list of qualified personnel will be made available for recruitment to central and
state Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) which can utilize the services of these qualified
professionals for need-based and short term skilled forensic assignments to expedite disposal of
pending cases. This national level test ensures minimum standard for forensic science graduates
involved in conducting laboratory tests of crime evidence in FSLs in India. Assurance of better
qualified professionals will contribute in the quality of forensic science services across the
country will be same.

2. FACT and FACT Plus

Forensic Aptitude and Caliber Test (FACT) and FACT Plus are All-India Tests that aim to test
the comprehensive aptitude and skills of Post Graduate subjects in Forensic Science. FACT is a
screening test being introduced in 2018 as a test of forensic science caliber for students
obtaining their degrees from various universities. The FACT qualification of a candidate
reflects the relative knowledge and certifies minimum level of understanding of forensic
science.

The FACT (Basic examination for post-graduate candidates) will test the candidates in pure
sciences to understand their command over basic concepts. FACT Plus (Advanced level of
examination for post-graduate candidate who have cleared NET/GATE/GPAT) will test the
aptitude of the candidates towards forensic science related matters.

FACT qualification is intended to be used as a qualifying criterion for recruitment by FSLs and
other such agencies. The test will be conducted on two levels i.e. FACT for assessing the skill
level of the candidates to analyze the crime exhibits referred in the FSLs and interpret the
results with basic training to assist in simple cases and FACT Plus for testing the candidates as
specialized personnel to handle precision instruments and infer precise results. The eligibility
for recruitment for FACT qualified candidates will be subject to fulfilling the criteria laid down
by the recruiting organization.

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3. LNJN National Institute for Criminology and Forensic Science

Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute for Criminology and Forensic Science
(NICFS) is the nodal Institute for forensic science education and training in the country. MHA
has entrusted NICFS with the responsibility of administering FACT.

4. Structure of FACT 2018

FACT will consist of objective type questions and will be conducted as an online test. The test
will be of 2-hour duration and shall consist of two parts, Part A and Part B. The questions will
be so designed as to measure the forensic aptitude and skills required to handle scientific tests
of crime material exhibits from crime scenes and interpretations of test results at Scene of
Crime and/or forensic laboratories to deduce their evidential values.

Part A shall be compulsory to all candidates. This part shall contain questions pertaining to the
core principles of Forensic Science.

Part B shall consist of six specialized forensic science subjects viz., Forensic Physics,
Forensic Ballistics, Forensic Document Examination, Cyber Forensics, Forensic Chemical
Sciences and Forensic Biological Sciences. A candidate has to attempt any one of these six
specialized Forensic Science subjects.

The test consists of only multiple choice questions and will be a mix of questions of low,
moderate and high level of difficulty. Four possible options (A), (B), (C) and (D) will be given
for each question of which only one option will be correct. There will be no negative marking.
The marking scheme will be included as part of the Instructions to the online test.

5. Eligibility Criteria for Appearing in FACT 2018

In order for being eligible to appear in FACT or FACT Plus, the candidate must fulfill the
following eligibility requirements:

(i) Candidate must be an Indian national.

(ii) To appear for FACT, the candidate must possess educational qualifications as per the
detailed Table 1.
(iii) To appear for FACT Plus, in addition to being eligible to appear for FACT, the candidate
must be qualified in UGC NET examination or CSIR-GATE or GPAT as per Table 1.
(iv) Some candidates are also mandated to have studied specified subjects at the graduate level.
(v) There is no upper age limit.
(vi) A candidate may appear in FACT or FACT Plus any number of times.

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Table 1: Details of educational qualifications for eligibility for FACT and FACT Plus are as follows:

Mandatory subject NET / GATE subject

Elective Subjects Qualifying degree
at graduate level / paper
Eligibility for
  X
FACT
Eligibility for
  
FACT Plus
MSc in Physics / Biophysics /
None Physical Sciences
Applied Physics
Forensic Physics MSc Mathematics/Applied Maths None Mathematical Sciences
BTech/BE in / Electrical /
Not applicable Electrical / Electronics
Electronic engineering
MSc in Forensic Science Physics or Maths Forensic Science
MSc in Physics / Applied Physics None Physical Sciences
MSc in Mathematics None Mathematical Sciences
Forensic Ballistics
Physics or
MSc in Forensic Science Forensic Science
Mathematics
Forensic MSc in Physics None Physical Sciences
Document MSc in Chemistry / Biochemistry None Chemical Sciences
Examination MSc in Forensic Science Physics or Chemistry Forensic Science
BTech/BE in Computer Science / Computer Science /
Not applicable
Electrical / Electronic engineering Electrical / Electronics
PG degree in any subject and Computer Science and
Certification /Diploma in Cyber None Applications / Forensic
Cyber Forensics Forensics/Information Security Science / Criminology
MSc in Physics None Physical Sciences
MSc Mathematics/Applied Maths None Mathematical Sciences
MSc in Forensic Science None Forensic Science
MSc in Botany / Zoology /
None Life Sciences
Microbiology
MSc Biotechnology/Biochemistry Botany or Zoology Life Sciences
Forensic
Biotechnology / Life
Biological BTech/BE in Biotechnology Not applicable
Sciences / Biochemistry
Sciences
Anthropology / Life
MSc in Physical Anthropology Botany or Zoology
Sciences
MSc in Forensic Science Botany or Zoology Forensic Science
MSc in Chemistry None Chemical Sciences
MSc in Biochemistry Chemistry Chemical Sciences
MSc/BTech/BE in Toxicology None Chemical Sciences
Forensic
BPharma / BTech / BE in
Chemical Not applicable GPAT
Pharmacology
Sciences
BTech/BE in Chemical Sciences /
/Chemical Technology/ Chemical Not Applicable Chemical Sciences
Engineering / Chemistry
MSc in Forensic Science Chemistry Forensic Science
Associateship of Institute of
None Chemistry
Chemist by examination
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6. DATE AND SCHEME OF THE TEST

The FACT and FACT Plus will be held tentatively on Sunday, 23 September, 2018 as
under:

Test Session Timings Duration

FACT Morning 10:30AM-12:30 PM 2hrs
FACT (Plus) Morning 10:30AM-12:30 PM 2hrs

Paper Questions
PART A: Questions on core principles of forensic science 50

PART B: (attempt any one of these six subjects) 70

1. Forensic Physics
2. Forensic Ballistics
3. Forensic Document Examination
4. Cyber Forensics
5. Forensic Chemical Sciences
6. Forensic Biological Sciences
Total 120

Note:
(i) The date and time of FACT and FACT Plus is liable to be changed at the discretion of
LNJN NICFS.
(ii) The medium of examination will be English.
(iii) There will be 120 questions carrying one mark each and all questions will be mandatory.
(iv) No negative marking for wrong answers shall be applicable as per the scheme of
examination.
(v) Each candidate must individually obtain 50% or more marks in each of the sections of the
examination and the overall qualifying marks will be 60% and above. However, there will
be relaxing of 5% in the qualifying marks of SC/ST/OBC candidates.
(vi) The list of qualifying candidates will be declared subject-wise according to each elective
subject. The marks of the candidates will not be declared in the final result.

7. Registration for FACT and FACT Plus

7.1 ONLINE APPLICATION:

Interested & eligible candidates may apply online through a link available at NICFS website:
www.nicfs.gov.in. In order to pay the registration fee, the candidates may use Credit Card,
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Debit Card or Net Banking. Before applying online, candidates are advised to go through
detailed notification available at NICFS website.

Before filling the form, candidates must select the examination which they wish to take
ensuring their eligibility for the same. Candidates must write their name, father/mother's name
as written in their Matriculation (Xth Class Board) Certificate and should ensure that the same
are matching with their educational qualification certificates and caste certificate except for
married females who may submit an undertaking for the same.

After filling the online application, candidates should preview their entire application form and
make changes if required before final submission of online application. No change in the
particulars entered in the application form will be possible after final submission of online
application and no correspondence in this regard will be entertained.

After successful submission of ONLINE Application, a Registration Number will be generated.

The candidates must preserve the Registration Number for future reference and for
downloading your e-Admit Card. They must also keep a printout copy of the duly filled-in
application form for future use.

The registration portal may also be used by candidates to check the status of their
candidature, download admit card as well as FACT and FACT Plus result.

Candidates should note that successful submission of online application does not mean
that they have been registered for this test. To ensure their candidature, candidates
should check their registration status on website (www.nicfs.gov.in).

Detailed instruction regarding the registration and online applications will be issued separately
on www.nicfs.gov.in, before 20/06/2018. Instructions pertaining to conduct of candidate at the
examination centers will be issued along with admit card.

7.2 REGISTRATION FEE AND MODE OF PAYMENT

The registration fee to be submitted by the candidates will be as below:

Registration Fee for Registration Fee for

Candidate category Gender
FACT FACT Plus
Male Rs. 800/- Rs. 800/-
GEN
Female Rs. 400/- Rs. 400/-
OBC-NC, SC, ST, PH Any Rs. 400/- Rs. 400/-
Registration fee must be paid via Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking only

After filling all the details for applying online for FACT, the candidate will have the option
to select the mode of payment of examination fee either by credit/debit card or through net
banking indicating their details therein.
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In case the examination fee is paid through credit/debit card, the additional processing
charges as following will also be debited from the credit/debit card of the candidate.

Credit Card: - 1.20% of the examination fee plus the service tax as applicable.
Debit Card: - 0.75% of examination fee plus the service tax as applicable

The candidates are required to check the status of fee payment at NICFS website
(www.nicfs.gov.in) and if the status is ‘OK’ the candidate will be able to take the
printout of Confirmation Page.

If the fee is paid through credit/debit card and status is not OK, it means the transaction is
cancelled and the amount will be refunded to concerned credit/debit card. Such candidates
have to pay the fee once again.

Please note that Fee submitted by any other mode like money order, demand draft, IPO etc.
will be summarily rejected. Fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances

IN ORDER TO AVOID LAST MINUTES RUSH, THE CANDIDATES ARE

ADVISED TO APPLY EARLY ENOUGH. NICFS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR NETWORK PROBLEM OR ANY OTHER SUCH TYPE OF PROBLEM.

8. CANDIDATE SEEKING FEE CONCESSION

Scheduled Caste (SC) /Scheduled Tribe (ST) / Persons with Disability (PwD) / Other
Backward Classes (OBC) (Non creamy layer), as per the central list of Other Backward
Classes available on National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), Government of
India website: www.ncbc.nic.in, candidate will be given such special concessions as may be
decided by the NICFS.

The candidate should mention clearly his/her category to seek concession in fee. The candidate
will be required to fill out an undertaking stating that if at any point, before/during/after the
examination the information is found to be false, his/her candidature will be cancelled with
immediate effect and the issued certificate will be declared invalid. OBC candidates, who are
not covered vide the provision of Non Creamy Layer (NCL) as per the provisions of Govt. of
India shall not be eligible to get the benefit of relaxation in fee concession.

Candidate must note that for availing OBC category benefit, NICFS follows only Central Govt.
list and not the State Govt. lists. Similarly, candidate applying under physically handicapped
(PH)/ visually handicapped (VH) category may note that Govt. of India rules will be applicable
in this regard; otherwise they shall not be eligible for any concession.

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9. Syllabus of the FACT Examination

The syllabus & scheme of exam may be seen at NICFS website www.nicfs.gov.in. The syllabus
for FACT and FACT Plus will be the same, only the level of questions will be different. The
question paper shall be as per syllabus and scheme of exam.

10. Examination Centers

Name and address of the test center will be printed on the admit card. A candidate may opt
for up to three Examination Centers, strictly in order of preference from the following cities:

Agartala Ahmedabad Aurangabad Bhopal Calicut

Chandigarh Chennai Delhi Guwahati Hyderabad
Kolkata Lucknow Mumbai Patna Ranchi

If sufficient number of candidates do not opt for any of the above Centers, that particular
Center may stand deleted from the above list OR otherwise also, the concerned candidates may
be allotted another Centre at the discretion of NICFS.

The Allotted Examination Center will be final and no request for change of center will be
entertained. No TA/DA will be admissible to any candidate, in any circumstances.

11. Declaration of Result

The provisional result of FACT and FACT Plus may be declared on 30 September 2018. The
officially correct answers (Answer Key) will be announced on the same day after the
examination i.e. 23 September 2018.

If a question for any reason found wrong, the benefit of marks will be given to only those
candidates who attempt the question. On review of representations by the subject experts, if it
is found that along with the original answer key one more option(s) is correct then marks will
be awarded to all those candidates who have attempted any one of the correct options.

Any representation from the appeared candidates will be addressed within 3 days from the date
of the examination via NICFS website only i.e. latest by 26 September 2018. Representation
Fee of Rs. 1000/- per question has to be paid by the candidate. The Final Answer Keys and
Result will be uploaded on www.nicfs.gov.in on 30 September 2018.

Fee may be paid by credit/debit card/net banking. In case the challenge of any candidate
regarding answer key is accepted, fee will be refunded. Refunds will be transferred online to the
concerned bank account only, so, the candidates are advised to pay from their own bank
accounts. In all other cases fee once paid will not be refunded. The decision of Competent
Authority on challenges shall be final and result will be declared on basis of final answer keys.
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Validity period of FACT and FACT Plus certificate will be 5 years from date of issue. Results
shall remain for up to one month on NICFS website www.nicfs.gov.in and can be downloaded.

12. Issue of FACT and FACT Plus Certificate

All the candidates declared provisionally qualified will be expected to produce original copy of
all the certificates/testimonials for verification at the time and date to be notified before they are
finally declared as qualified. The FACT and FACT Plus certificate will be issued subject to
fulfilment of verification of testimonials.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
(i) While applying for this test, the candidates must ensure that they fulfill all the eligibility
conditions and follow all the laid down procedures / guidelines for this test.
(ii) While applying Online, apply early enough to avoid any last minute rush.
(iii) Facility for downloading e-Admit Card to the registered candidates will be provided on
NICFS website www.nicfs.gov.in No Admission Certificate will be sent by post. No
duplicate e-admit cards shall be issued to the candidates at the Exam Centre. NICFS will
not be responsible for any delay on the part of the candidates.
(iv) Each and every candidate needs to fulfil the eligibility criteria, complete in every respect,
for successful candidature.
(v) Provisional result based on the information provided by the candidate during filling up
the online application form will be declared on 30th September 2018.
(vi) The candidature shall be cancelled at any stage, even after declaration of result, if found
that any given eligibility criterion is not fulfilled and/or wrong information(s) has been
provided by the candidate.
(vii) Separate forms need to be filled for FACT and FACT Plus examination. Multiple
registrations from a single candidate will be cancelled and the examination fee forfeited.
(viii) Candidate should exercise due care in filling up the application form. In case of any error
on the part of the candidate, he/she will be held solely responsible for any loss suffered
by him/her. No change in the entries made in the original application form will be
allowed under any circumstances at later stage.
(ix) No relevant column of the application form should be left blank. Incomplete applications
shall be summarily rejected.
(x) All information will be provided through NICFS website only. No individual intimation
by any mode will be sent to the candidates.
(xi) OBC candidates whose caste is not listed in Central List (as available on NCBC website)
and are not covered under the provisions as applicable to OBC Non Creamy Layer (NCL)
shall be treated as a General Category candidates for all purposes and shall not be
eligible to get the benefit of fee concession etc. Accordingly, OBC Candidates not
belonging to OBC Non Creamy Layer shall indicate their category as ‘General’.
(xii) Hard copy of online application form is not required and will not be accepted by NICFS.
(xiii) Candidates are neither required to send any certificates/documents in support of their
eligibility nor printout of their Application Form (Confirmation Page) to NICFS.

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 However the candidates, in their own interest, must satisfy themselves about their
eligibility for the Test. In the event of any ineligibility being detected by the NICFS at
any stage, their candidature will be cancelled and they shall be liable for legal action.
(xiv) Candidates having post-graduate diploma/certificate awarded by Indian University/
Institute or foreign degree/diploma/certificate awarded by the foreign University/institute
should in their own interest, ascertain the equivalence of their diploma/degree/certificate
with Master’s degree of recognized Indian universities from Association of Indian
Universities (AIU), New Delhi. (www.aiuweb.org).
(xv) No applications can be submitted after the last date (i.e. 15/07/2018) and no fee will be
accepted after 15/07/ 2018 in any circumstances.
(xvi) The Candidate should note that their candidature is strictly provisional. The mere fact that
Admission Card has been issued and the candidate is allowed to appear in the test shall
not imply that the Board has finally accepted his/her candidature.
(xvii) NICFS may change the city of examination or the date of examination due to unforeseen
circumstances without assigning any reason. No candidate will be allowed to appear at
examination center other than that allotted to them in the admit card. No candidate will
be allowed to appear in the examination whose admission card is not issued by NICFS.
(xviii) The candidates are required to bring a photo identity card along with their printout of
online Admission Card on the day of examination.
(xix) Calculators, log tables, paper chits, books/note-books, mobile phones, smart watches,
electronic devices, etc. are not allowed in the Examination. Possession of any of these
items will be treated as unfair means and result of the candidate will not be declared.
(xx) Canvassing in any form will disqualify the candidate.
(xxi) NICFS representatives will be in-charge of the overall conduct of the examination at the
Examination Centers and any immediate decisions taken by them will be final.
(xxii) The decision of FACT Council shall be final in all matters. All legal disputes pertaining
to this Test shall fall within the jurisdiction of Delhi Courts only.
(xxiii) The result of all the candidates will be uploaded on NICFS website www.nicfs.gov.in.
Besides this, FACT will not issue any mark-sheet to qualified/non-qualified candidates.
(xxiv) NICFS or NIELIT shall not be responsible for any printing error(s) in this notification.

CONTACT DETAILS
Organizing Chairman, FACT 2018
LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science
Ministry of Home Affairs

library.nicfs@nic.in, fact.nicfs@nic.in
Telephone: 011-27521091, 27511571 (during office hours)
Fax: 011-27511571
Web: www.nicfs.gov.in
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