Zero FIR: Section 173 of the BNSS and where it stops
Why in news: A column published in early November 2026 argued that a Zero FIR's ease of access ends once the case moves to another station.
A Zero FIR lets a police station register information on a cognizable offence committed outside its area and send the case to the station with jurisdiction. Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 accepts such information in writing, orally or electronically. A column in early November 2026 argued that the victim's ease ends at the transfer.
Syllabus: Prelims · Polity & Governance; GS2 · Welfare of Vulnerable Sections; GS2 · Governance & e-Governance
Why this matters for UPSC
GS2 polity and governance: criminal procedure and police under the BNSS, 2023. UPSC Prelims 2026 asked about the Zero FIR; Mains can ask about access for victims of sexual violence.
In short
A Zero FIR records a cognizable offence at any station, whatever the crime's place, under Section 173 of the BNSS, 2023, before the case moves to the station with jurisdiction.
Section 173 settled where a complaint may be filed; the next step is to carry that ease past the transfer, into enquiry, investigation and trial.
Why it matters
A woman attacked while travelling, or a retired teacher who loses savings to an online fraud, can go to the nearest police station instead of first working out which station holds the area. For fraud victims the Home Ministry ties quicker FIRs to a better chance of getting lost money back. The gain can stop at the door: once the case moves to the station with jurisdiction, the victim may have to travel there for every later step. The column argues that when reporting costs a family its income and safety, families choose silence. The larger question is whether police procedure is built around the victim or around station boundaries.
Prelims pointers
- The term FIR is not defined in the CrPC, 1973 or any other law; police rules gave the name to information recorded under Section 154 of the CrPC.
- Section 173 of the BNSS covers information in cognizable cases; information on non-cognizable cases is dealt with in a separate provision that follows it.
- When a woman reports one of the listed offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, a woman police officer or any woman officer records it.
- A disabled victim's information is recorded at home or a place of the person's choice, with an interpreter or special educator, and the recording is videographed.
- States and UTs are primarily responsible for preventing, detecting, investigating and prosecuting crime, cybercrime included; the Centre supplements them through advisories and financial assistance.
- The I4C began as a Home Ministry scheme in 2018 and became an attached office of the Ministry with effect from 1 July 2024.
- The toll-free helpline 1930 helps citizens lodge online cyber complaints; complaints can also be filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Practise a UPSC-style question
With reference to Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, consider the following statements:
1. Information on a cognizable offence may be given to a police station irrespective of the area where the offence was committed.
2. Information given by electronic communication is taken on record once the informant signs it within seven days.
3. A copy of the recorded information is given free of cost to the informant or the victim.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only. Area does not matter and the copy is free, but the signature window is three days.
Statement 1: correct. Section 173 of the BNSS, 2023 lets such information reach the officer in charge irrespective of the area of the offence.
Statement 2: incorrect. Electronic information is taken on record once the person giving it signs within three days, not seven.
Statement 3: correct. The section requires a copy of the recorded information to be given forthwith, free of cost, to the informant or the victim.
Eliminate: Statement 2 is wrong on the number of days. Out: (a), (b), (d).
Trap: Near-miss figure. The three-day signature window is stretched to seven, a number that sounds just as plausible for an electronic complaint.
Remember: electronic information under the BNSS needs the informant's signature within three days.
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