India’s Home Ministry has introduced the new e-Zero FIR system for cybercrime victims. This digital-forward solution aims to ensure quicker justice for victims of financial cybercrimes. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced this initiative in India on May 19, 2025. It is a key part of the government’s broader Cyber Secure Bharat national initiative. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) is currently supervising this important project. A pilot project for the e-Zero FIR system has been rolled out in Delhi. It automatically converts cybercrime complaints into Zero FIRs when monetary loss is high. This applies to losses exceeding ₹10 lakh reported on NCRP or helpline 1930.
This automatic FIR conversion is processed through the Delhi Police’s existing e-FIR system. It is then further integrated into the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Systems (CCTNS). CCTNS is managed by India’s National Crime Records Bureau also known as NCRB. Amit Shah stated this innovation will enable unprecedented speed in nabbing many cybercriminals. It should also dramatically improve the conversion rate of complaints into formal FIRs. The e-Zero FIR system’s foundation lies in newly enacted Indian criminal laws. These laws are Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sakshya Adhiniyam. These legal reforms effective July 1 2024 aim to streamline criminal procedures. They also make law enforcement more victim-centric and also much more technologically equipped.
Standard Operating Procedures under BNSS provide a structured framework for Zero FIR processing. These important SOPs emphasize system accessibility uniformity and also overall operational efficiency. They allow FIR registration irrespective of any police territorial jurisdiction, a Zero FIR. Complaints can also be filed online without needing to visit a police station. The e-Zero FIR mechanism routes high-loss complaints directly to Delhi’s e-Crime Police Station. There they are initially registered by officials as official Zero First Information Reports. Complainants must then validate this FIR at their local cybercrime station within three days. This crucial framework effectively removes jurisdictional bottlenecks enabling immediate probes into digital money trails.
Digitally verified complaints allow investigating officers to take quick necessary police intervention action.
Though currently operational only in India’s capital Delhi e-Zero FIR is for nationwide use. As per Home Minister Amit Shah’s directives it will soon be rolled out. This expansion aligns with the Modi government’s strategy to strengthen the national cybersecurity grid. It further helps realize the important vision of creating a truly Cyber Secure Bharat. The initiative directly responds to public grievances regarding delays in recovering lost cyber fraud funds. The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and helpline 1930 are now dynamic crime-fighting tools. To aid understanding NCRB launched the “NCRB Sankalan of Criminal Laws” mobile application. This app compiles and explains the new complex criminal laws in an accessible format. BNSS also ensures accountability if officials fail to register Zero FIRs or e-FIRs. Negligent public servants face imprisonment and applicable fines for violating these new protocols.
Reference:
