Introduction
The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, has introduced the e-FIR and zero FIR initiative as a pilot project in Delhi, aimed at enhancing the investigation of cyber financial frauds as part of the efforts supported by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). This initiative is designed to improve efficiency in handling complaints related to financial cybercrimes exceeding ₹10 lakh, automatically converting these complaints into First Information Reports (FIRs). The launch of e-Zero FIR aligns with the broader vision of establishing a Cyber Secure Bharat.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at e-FIR and zero FIR, its features, and why it was introduced in India. If you are a civil service aspirant, the e-Zero FIR initiative is an important topic for you to understand, as it is an important step to strengthen India’s cybercrime defences.
What is e-FIR and Zero FIR?
The e-Zero FIR initiative, launched by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), allows for the automatic conversion of financial cybercrime complaints exceeding ₹10 lakh into First Information Reports (FIRs).
- Accessible via the 1930 helpline or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
- Currently operating as a pilot program in Delhi.
- Allows individuals to file Zero FIRs at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction.
- Facilitates the transfer of complaints to the correct authority for investigation.
The difference between Zero-FIR and e-FIR lies in the fact that e-Zero FIR is the electronic version of Zero FIR, enabled under Section 173(1) and 1(ii) of the BNSS. The e-Crime Police Station in Delhi is now authorized for e-FIR registration and case transfers under the relevant legal provisions.
1. Objective of the e-Zero FIR Initiative
The purpose of the action is to expedite investigations and authorities’ reactions toward cybercriminals who conduct major cyber fraud.
2. Rationale of the e-FIR and Zero FIR
It addresses a long-standing concern of victims who were faced with delays in FIR registrations and struggled to recover misappropriated funds.
3. Legal Framework of e-Zero FIR Initiative
The provisions of the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) concerning police procedures follow the established sections of 173(1) and 1(ii).
4. Significance of e-FIR and Zero FIR
The initiative of e-FIR APSC supports victims of financial cybercrime by enabling them to quickly initiate legal processes to recover lost funds, while also enhancing cybercrime tracking, data sharing, and investigative coordination across agencies. This represents a critical step toward improving digital governance and ensuring justice delivery in cybercrime cases.
Features of e-FIR and Zero FIR
In today’s fast-paced world, the emergence of the e-Zero FIR initiative has revolutionized the way we report and address crimes, streamlining the process for both victims and law enforcement. The zero FIR UPSC is an important topic for the following reasons:
1. Cyber financial fraud complaints of greater than Rs 10 lakhs lodged through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or through Helpline 1930 will automatically be converted to Zero FIRs.
- The complainants will be required to visit the relevant police station within 3 days to convert the Zero FIR into a `normal` FIR.
2. These features combine the I4C’s NCRP system, the Delhi Police’s e-FIR system, and the National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) into a complete reporting and investigation machinery for cybercrime.
3. Zero FIR can be lodged at any police station irrespective of whether the crime occurred; hence, it prevents jurisdictional issues from hindering the investigative process.
- This process further enshrines the principles of legal immediacy in order to prompt timelines in action and do so without undue delay.
4. In the wake of the Justice Verma Committee’s recommendations following the Nirbhaya incident (2012), this introduces an element of victim-centric policing and reinforces a prompt mechanism for redressal.
How Does the System Work?
1. Complaints of losses from financial cybercrime of more than ₹10 lakhs filed through 1930 or NCRP will automatically create a Zero FIR at the e-Crime Police Station, Delhi.
2. The e-FIR and Zero FIR are immediately sent to the cybercrime police station with the relevant territory, depending on the location of the complainant. The victim must go to the cybercrime police station within 3 days to convert the Application into a regular FIR.
Implementation and Process of e-Zero FIR System
The e-Zero FIR initiative exemplifies digital integration between public reporting platforms and police infrastructure to accelerate cybercrime redressal.
1. Filing a Complaint: Victims of cyber financial fraud can report online at the NCRPC or call 1930, providing details about the scam, fraud method, and financial loss.
2. Automated Threshold Check: The system flags cases over ₹10 lakh for quick FIR registration.
3. Generation of “Zero FIR”: Zero FIRs under the BNSS law allow crimes to be reported anywhere, marked with “0” for jurisdictional neutrality and prompt police recording.
4. Case Routing via CCTNS: After registration, the system sends the Zero FIR through CCTNS to the appropriate local cybercrime police station based on the victim’s location. Although the FIR starts at Delhi’s e-Crime Police Station, it is quickly transferred to the relevant district police for handling.
5. Victim Verification and Conversion: The complainant is informed to visit the cybercrime unit within three days, where details are verified. The Zero FIR is then converted to a standard FIR, starting the investigation and legal proceedings.
Conlusion
India’s e-FIR and Zero FIR programs are being tested in Delhi and plans to expand nationwide. The goal is to improve cyber justice and safety for everyone. The program will refine its processes before it reaches all states, working closely with local law enforcement and raising public awareness. It aims to build trust in digital transactions by providing faster ways for people to report issues and protect citizens in a secure digital India.
Frequently Asked Questions
The e-Zero FIR allows victims to file an FIR at any police station, irrespective of jurisdiction, especially in cases of sexual assault, cybercrime, and urgent threats
It was part of initiatives under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Digital Police Portal, integrated with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).
Yes, it is a legally valid FIR, and once transferred to the correct jurisdiction, it proceeds like a regular FIR.
Official and Government Sources
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) – MHA
https://cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/Crime_Reporting_Manual.aspx
→ For cybercrime complaint procedures and the I4C’s role. - National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP)
https://cybercrime.gov.in
→ Direct portal for filing cybercrime complaints online. - Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Overview – PIB
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1981402
→ Details of new BNSS provisions replacing CrPC. - Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) – NCRB
https://digitalpolice.gov.in
→ Digital infrastructure supporting e-FIR transfers and tracking. - Justice Verma Committee Report (2013) – Ministry of Home Affairs
https://www.prsindia.org/report-summaries/justice-verma-committee-report
→ Background on victim-centric policing reforms post-Nirbhaya.
News & Analysis
- PIB Release on e-FIR Launch in Delhi
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2014217
→ Official announcement of the pilot project launch. - The Hindu – e-FIR Initiative to Fight Cyber Frauds
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/e-fir-cyber-fraud-amit-shah/article67836494.ece
→ News coverage with additional insights and reactions. - Indian Express – What is e-Zero FIR and Why It Matters
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/e-zero-fir-cybercrime-explained-9192641/
→ Easy-to-understand breakdown for aspirants.
