Forensic accounting in India: End of an era or a new beginning?

This study examines the current trajectory of forensic accounting in India by analyzing recent developments, regulatory frameworks, market dynamics, and emerging challenges during 2020-2025. The research addresses whether forensic accounting in India represents the end of traditional investigative approaches or the beginning of a transformative era driven by technological advancement and regulatory reforms. Through systematic analysis of contemporary literature, regulatory developments, and market trends, this study reveals that forensic accounting in India is experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation rather than decline. The establishment of Forensic Accounting and Investigation Standards (FAIS) by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), increasing corporate fraud incidents, and expanding regulatory requirements collectively indicate that forensic accounting in India is at the beginning of its most significant evolutionary phase. The findings suggest that while traditional methodologies are evolving, the fundamental demand for forensic accounting expertise in India is expanding exponentially, driven by digital transformation, complex financial crimes, and enhanced regulatory enforcement.