How to Extract Intelligence from Indian Government Websites

Government websites in India have a lot of useful public information. If you know how to search properly, you can extract valuable information using OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence). Here’s a step-by-step analysis to extract useful information from publicly available government data!

Understanding Government Websites

Let’s first understand, how you can find out which ones are government websites and which ones are not.

Website Identification

Indian government websites are easily recognizable by their unique domain extensions:

.gov.in - Primary government websites

.nic.in - National Informatics Centre websites

Key Examples of Official Websites

• Income Tax Department: https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/

• Open Government Data Platform: https://data.gov.in/

• Election Commission: https://eci.gov.in/

  
  

Using Google Dorking Technique

You can use Google to find hidden information on government websites using the Google dorking technique.

Basic Search Strategies

Use the | site: | operator to search specific government domains

Search Format Examples:

Document Type Searches

Historical Information Recovery (Wayback Machine)

Website: https://web.archive.org/

it is a powerful tool for retrieving deleted or archived government data that may have been removed from official websites.

How to Use

• Go to https://web.archive.org/

• Enter the URL of the government website (e.g., https://pib.gov.in/)

• Browse historical snapshots by selecting a date from the timeline

• Access and download archived content before it was deleted or modified

Applications

• Recover Deleted Government Reports: Find old policy documents, press releases, or tender notices that are no longer available.

• Track Changes in Government Websites: Identify modifications in official narratives or policy updates.

• Investigate Election Data & Legal Notices: Retrieve missing affidavits, court rulings, or voter lists.

• Compare Historical Maps & Land Records: View past versions of Bhulekh or Bhuvan GIS portals to analyze land disputes.

  
  

Key Government Information Portals

For your research these government websites provide publicly available data useful for research, analysis, and OSINT

1. land record Portals

To get public land records from Bhulekh (land record) websites, visit the official land record portal of the respective Indian state. Most states have “Bhulekh” or “BhuNaksha” portals, where you can search land details by owner name, plot number, or khasra number.

Steps to Check Land Records:

Go to the official Bhulekh or Jamabandi website of the state (e.g. Uttar Pradesh- upbhulekh.gov.in ) Just search “Bhulekh space state name” you will get the official site.

• Select district, tehsil, and village.

• Enter details like owner name, khasra number, or plot number.

• View and download land records (ROR - Record of Rights).

Many states also have GIS maps (BhuNaksha) where you can see land boundaries and ownership details. Always ensure you're using the official government website to get accurate and legal data

2. Judgments and Orders Search

Website: https://indiankanoon.org/

• You can Find court decisions, legal precedents, and judicial trends.

• Keyword Search: Enter legal terms like "cybercrime judgment 2025".

• Case Number Search: Use High Court or Supreme Court case numbers.

• Filter by Court: Select Supreme Court, High Court, or Tribunal rulings.

Applications:

• Identify past legal cases related to corporate fraud, cybercrime, or public policy.

• Track court rulings on government policies or high-profile litigations.

• Analyze judicial trends on specific topics like media freedom, privacy laws, etc.

3. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

Website: https://ncrb.gov.in/

• In your investigation, you can access official crime statistics and reports.

• Download Annual Crime Reports for trends on murders, cybercrime, fraud, etc.

• Use interactive data tools to compare crime rates by state/district.

• Analyze special reports on terrorism, trafficking, and financial crimes.

Applications:

• Compare crime trends across states to identify high-risk areas.

• Track cybercrime growth and analyze government responses.

• Use NCRB reports to fact-check crime claims in media and politics.

4. Prison Portal (Inmate & Prison Data)

Website: https://prisonersportal.gov.in/

• Track prison populations, reforms, and security reports.

• Look up prison statistics by state or central jails.

• Access rehabilitation program details for inmates.

• Find prisoner rights and legal aid updates.

Applications:

• Identify overcrowded prisons and possible human rights violations.

• Track release patterns & paroles for high-profile cases.

• Investigate foreign prisoners & organized crime links in India.

5. Bhuvan (ISRO’s Geoportal)

Website: https://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/ ,from this one you can get information about,

• Geospatial Data & Maps: Analyze land use, deforestation, urban expansion, and border areas.

• Satellite Imagery: Compare past and present imagery to detect changes in infrastructure and strategic locations.

• Disaster Monitoring: Get real-time flood, earthquake, and drought information.

• Use Bhuvan Panchayat & Land Records (BhuNaksha) or to find land ownership patterns and disputed properties.

6. Census Data Portal

Website- https://censusindia.gov.in/ from this website you can find,

• Demographic Data: Population density, literacy rates, urban-rural division, and migration patterns.

• Economic & Social Indicators: Employment, education levels, and household statistics.

• Census APIs & Reports: Download datasets for in-depth analysis.

• Cross-reference census data with election records to analyze voter demographics and political shifts.

7.Corporate & GST Information for OSINT

Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) Portal → https://www.mca.gov.in/

GST Portal for Business & Tax Records → https://www.gst.gov.in/

MCA Portal

You can find registered company details, directors, and financial reports.

• Find shell companies and track corporate fraud.

• Identify links between company directors in financial crimes.

• Cross-check business details with GST & income tax data.

GST Portal

You can verify GST details of businesses operating in India.

• Verify if a company is genuine or fraudulent.

• Detect inactive or blacklisted GST registrations.

• Cross-check company locations with Google Maps & MCA database.

8. Right to Information (RTI)

Website: https://rtionline.gov.in/

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 allows Indian citizens to request information from government departments when direct search methods fail or data is not publicly available.

How to File an RTI Request

Identify the Correct Department

Prepare a Clear, Concise Request

• Clearly mention the specific data you need.

Submit Through Official RTI Channels

• Pay the ₹10 fee (online or via postal order).

Use the tracking number to monitor the request.

• If no response within 30 days, file an appeal with the First Appellate Authority.

Application

• Government Expenditures & Policies: Find how public funds are allocated.

• Public Project Details: Access construction, infrastructure, or land acquisition records.

• Election & Political Transparency: Request affidavits, voting records, or political funding sources.

• Law Enforcement & Crime Data: Get police reports, arrest statistics, or surveillance details.

Other OSINT Techniques

-Social Media Monitoring

• Follow official government social media accounts

• Track press releases and announcements

• Cross-reference information from multiple sources

-API and Open Data Resources

Explore https://data.gov.in/ or https://www.apisetu.gov.in/ for

These platforms provide free, structured data and APIs that can be used for research, analysis, and OSINT investigations.

Features:

• Downloadable Datasets: Census, finance, transport, health, crime stats, election data.

• Advanced Search Filters: Find datasets by sector, ministry, or department.

• Machine-Readable Data: CSV, JSON, XML formats for easy analysis.

• APIs for Different Sectors: Finance, Education, Law, Transport, Public Records.

• Live API Access: Fetch real-time data from government sources.

• Integration with Research & Apps: Connect directly with platforms like DigiLocker.

Ethics and Guidelines.

• Use ONLY publicly available information

• Never attempt to, Hack government systems ,Access restricted/private data and Violate digital privacy laws

• Try to get 100% legal information gathering ,Respect every intellectual property and Maintain ethical research standards

Extracting intelligence from Indian government websites using OSINT methods is both legal and effective when done responsibly. By using platforms like Bhulekh, PIB, Bhuvan, Census Data, and Judgement Portals, one can access valuable public information on land ownership, government policies, legal cases, crime statistics, and demographic trends. And Using Google Dorking, GIS mapping, and advanced search techniques, researchers, journalists, and analysts can uncover critical insights without violating privacy laws. However, it is essential to stick to publicly available data, cross-verify sources, and follow ethical guidelines while conducting OSINT research.

When you use correctly, OSINT from government portals can support investigations, policymaking, business intelligence, and social research, making it a powerful tool for anyone seeking reliable, OSINT data in India.