Professional Diploma in Canine Forensics
A first-of-its-kind academic program by the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in collaboration with Police Dog Centre India — bridging forensic science, canine behaviour, and the operational deployment of working dogs under a structured university education framework.
Bridging the Gap in India's K9 Ecosystem
Despite global advancements, India's law enforcement K9 units have historically lacked two things: scientific training standards and a clear path to judicial admissibility of K9 evidence. The PDCF was designed to fix both.
Outdated Training Practices
Many forces in India still rely on punishment-and-pressure methods — producing dogs that respond to handlers rather than scents.
PDCF Solution
Modern operant conditioning — producing self-driven, odour-obedient dogs free from handler influence, aligned with international K9 standards.
No Certification or Judicial Admissibility
The MHA's AKLAN SOP mandates annual third-party certification — yet periodic proficiency assessment is rarely implemented across forces.
PDCF Solution
Forensic evaluation protocols and certification frameworks that make K9 testimony legally credible in courts of law.
The Professional Diploma in Canine Forensics (PDCF), launched at NFSU Delhi Campus, was developed by internationally acclaimed military and police K9 expert Col. (Dr.) P.K. Chug in collaboration with PDC India. The 6-month hybrid program allows working professionals to upgrade their skills without career interruption — four months of online instruction followed by two months of intensive hands-on training, including escorted visits to restricted facilities unavailable to the general public.
Since its inaugural batch in August 2023, the program has trained nearly 150 Forensic Police K9 Expertsacross six completed batches, drawing participants from CAPFs, Railway Protection Force, and State Police organisations in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana, Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, and more.
Government Endorsement
BPR&D (April 2024) directed all CAPFs and State Police to nominate 3 K9 personnel per course. The Ministry of Home Affairs (March 2026) subsequently mandated 4–5 nominations per organisation to transform K9 practices across central police and law enforcement agencies.
About NFSU
Established by an Act of Parliament under the Ministry of Home Affairs, NFSU is the world's first and only forensic sciences university — an Institution of National Importance, conceptualised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2009, with campuses across India and internationally.
Official NFSU Program PageGlobal Collaboration
NFSU is partnered with Florida International University (FIU), USA — Global Forensic and Justice Center. Top PDCF graduates may pursue Master's and Ph.D. programs with semesters at FIU, Miami.
Course Structure & Subjects
Phase 1 — Online Learning
Months 1–4
Online lectures, assignments, and presentations by domain experts including specialists from foreign countries. Covers all theoretical foundations of canine forensics, behaviour science, legal frameworks, and forensic odourology. Enables working professionals to upskill without career interruption.
Phase 2 — Intensive Hands-On Training
Months 5–6 · NFSU Delhi Campus
Residential practical training at NFSU Delhi Campus. Includes live dog handling, scent imprinting, simulated detection scenarios, patrol dog preparation, and escorted visits to premier K9 facilities — a rare exposure unavailable to the general public. Assessed via rigorous formal procedures as per UGC norms.
Subjects Covered
- Fundamentals of Police Service K9s
- Suitability of Different Dog Breeds including Indigenous Breeds
- Canine Behaviour & Personality among Police Service K9s
- Modern Techniques in Police & Military Dog Training
- Canine Forensic Odorology & Scent Management
- Specialized Detection: Explosives, Narcotics, Arson, Cadaver, Medical Alert
- Emerging Technologies & K9 Augmentation (RASCO, Vapour Wake Detection)
- Veterinary Care & First Aid for Working Dogs
- Forensic Science Principles in K9 Deployment
- Legal Frameworks: Explosives, NDPS & Crime Scene Law
- Crime Scene Management & K9 Integration
- Research Project on a Topic of Practical Importance
Practical Training Exposure
- Individual Puppy assigned to each participant for obedience & agility handling
- Scent imprinting and simulated explosives / narcotics detection scenarios
- Preparation of Tracking-Trailing and Patrol Dogs
- Escorted visits to NSG, Air Force, SSB, Delhi Police & premier K9 facilities
- Exposure to international accreditation norms and SOPs
- Interaction with veteran trainers and forensic science experts
Batch History
Special Forces & Paramilitary Relevance
While primarily structured for law enforcement K9 teams, the PDCF curriculum directly addresses the specialised requirements of elite military and paramilitary units operating in high-stakes, dynamic environments.
Patrol & Assault Dog Preparation
Modern, science-based methodologies producing dogs with superior initiative, courage, controlled aggression, and reliable off-leash obedience — essential for building clearance, area denial, and suspect apprehension.
Dual Purpose K9s (Patrol + Detection)
Training protocols for dogs that combine patrol and apprehension with detection capability — IED clearance, narcotics, and personnel tracking in a single asset without requiring two dogs.
Advanced Canine Behaviour Science
Cognitive reinforcement, imprinting, and handler-independent odour obedience. Benchmarked against global K9 standards from NSG, Air Force, SSB, and FIU collaboration.
K9 Augmentation Technologies
RASCO (Remote Animal-Sensor Communication), Canine Remote Delivery System (CRDS), Laser-Directed Deployments, and Vapour Wake Detection for VUCA environments.
Dogs & Drones: Integrated Operations
Combining K9 olfactory capability with UAV aerial surveillance for border infiltration detection, jungle and urban sweeps, and pre-assault route clearance.
High-Value Sensitive Interventions
Forensic science principles and legal frameworks applied to counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, dignitary protection, and evidence-preservation missions across diverse terrain.
Special Forces K9 Capability Matrix — PDCF Program Coverage
Eligibility, Schedule & Fees
Eligibility Criteria
- Graduation in any discipline (minimum 50% marks)
- OR Diploma in Police Dog Handling / Training
- OR 10+2 with 3+ years of dog handling experience
Reservations as per Government of India norms.
Target Audience
- Police dog handlers, trainers & mid-level officers
- Defence & paramilitary K9 personnel
- Graduates & civilians passionate about K9 science
- NGOs and private sector working in security
Course Schedule
January Session
Admissions: Nov – Dec
Course runs Jan – Jun
July Session
Admissions: May – Jun
Course runs Jul – Jan
Seats limited to 25 per batch, filled on merit basis.
Available Campuses
Course Fees
Bank Details
Fee Collection NFSU Delhi Campus
Punjab National Bank
A/C No: 0944100100008485
IFSC: PUNB0094410
• Accommodation & messing provided during hands-on training at reasonable rates
• Transport facility included for field visits
Professional Outcomes
- University certification from an Institution of National Importance (INI)
- Training in modern, evidence-based dog training techniques
- Expertise in emerging K9 augmentation technologies
- Alignment with judicial admissibility & international K9 standards
- Pathway to Master's & PhD programs in Canine Forensics
- Opportunity for academic exchange at Florida International University, USA
- Enhanced operational performance and leadership in K9 roles
- Eligibility to serve as MHA-qualified PSK Assessor for K9 certifications
Chief Mentor — Canine Forensics, NFSU
Col. (Dr.) P.K. Chug (Retd)
BVSc & AH, MVSc, MBA, PhD · Fellow NAVS · Fellow IAAVR
Advisory Board Member, International Commission on Detector Dogs (ICODD)
India's foremost military and police K9 trainer — an Army Veteran with over 30 years of operational experience, having commanded Specialised Dog Units across six terms, including with the Indian Special Forces and twice with the Elite NSG Black Cats.
Founder Head of the MHA Police K9 Cell, Founding Editor of the National Police K9 Journal, and pioneer of the K9 Vision System (KVS), Canine Remote Delivery System (CRDS), and the integration of Dogs with Drones.
Honours include COAS Commendation (three times), Army Commander's Commendation, UN Force Commander Commendation, and a Citation by the US Department of Defense for the USNS Mercy Mission.
Police Dog Centre India
Academic Collaboration
Collaborating partner with NFSU and Florida International University (FIU) Miami, USA, for the Professional Diploma in Canine Forensics.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
An ISO-certified, Indian Startup and MSME company accredited by QCI and GeM. Professional K9 security solutions to police and law enforcement.
The 4D Doctrine
All training is designed to prepare 4D K9s — Deter, Detect, Defend, and Dominate — replacing coercive methods with modern operant conditioning.
Training of Trainers
Conducts large-scale Police K9 Workshops and Training of Trainer (ToT) courses for CAPFs and State Police organisations across India.
National Register for Working Dogs
Pioneered the ground-breaking National Register for Working Dogs (NRWD) and K9 Behavioural Assessment (K9 BAT) model for police dog selection.
International Speaker
Col. (Dr.) P.K. Chug is an internationally recognised speaker and author, representing India's K9 capabilities on the global stage.
How to Apply & Contact
Ms Vernika Mehta
Course Coordinator – Canine Forensics
School of Forensic Science, NFSU – Delhi Campus
NFSU Delhi Campus, Rohini, New Delhi – 110082
Register for the Program
Applications are accepted twice a year. Seats are limited and filled on merit.
For Law Enforcement Organisations
CAPFs and State Police organisations are encouraged to nominate 4–5 K9 personnel per batch as directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (March 2026). Contact PDC India for bulk nominations and organisational coordination.
Contact PDC IndiaAdvance India's Forensic K9 Capabilities
Join India's pioneering forensic K9 education program — and help transform police dog training from coercion to science-based excellence.