Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, has announced the launch of a new initiative called the e-Zero FIR under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C). This development marks a major step forward in the government's efforts to combat cybercrime efficiently and at speed.
In a post shared on the social media platform ‘X’, Amit Shah stated that this system, currently launched as a pilot project in Delhi, will enable automatic conversion of cyber financial crime complaints made on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or the helpline number 1930 into First Information Reports (FIRs), provided the financial loss exceeds Rs 10 lakh. This mechanism is intended to facilitate quicker investigations and more effective action against cybercriminals. The plan is to eventually expand this system across the entire country.
This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Cyber Secure Bharat. Recognizing the challenges faced by victims of cyber financial crimes—especially in the recovery of defrauded money—Amit Shah had directed the implementation of this system during a recent review meeting of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre. The aim is to bridge the gap between the registration of complaints and initiation of criminal proceedings, making justice delivery in cybercrime cases more responsive and efficient.
The process integrates three major systems: the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, the Delhi Police’s e-FIR system, and the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) of the National Crime Records Bureau. Once a complaint involving financial loss of over ₹10 lakh is lodged through the NCRP or helpline 1930, a Zero FIR will be automatically registered at the e-Crime Police Station of Delhi.
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This FIR will then be digitally forwarded to the appropriate territorial cybercrime police station. Complainants will have to visit the designated cybercrime police station within three days to convert the Zero FIR into a regular FIR, allowing for full legal proceedings to commence.
This system is based on the provisions of Section 173 (1) and 1(ii) of the newly introduced Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which permits FIRs to be filed electronically regardless of jurisdiction. The Delhi Police and the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre have worked together to ensure the proper implementation of this process under the new legal framework. The e-Crime Police Station in Delhi has already been notified for the purpose of registering e-FIRs and routing them to the relevant police stations.
By ensuring the swift registration of FIRs and enhancing coordination between agencies, the e-Zero FIR system is expected to significantly improve the conversion rate of cybercrime complaints into actionable cases. This will help in the timely recovery of funds lost by victims and ensure that cybercriminals are brought to justice more effectively.
The initiative also capitalises on the newly enacted criminal laws, making it a key component of the government's broader strategy to strengthen India’s cybersecurity framework and protect its citizens in the digital era.
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