Centre Launches e-Zero FIR to Fast-Track Cybercrime Cases

In a significant push toward combating cybercrime, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched a new initiative called e-Zero FIR under its Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The move, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 20, 2025, aims to enable swift registration of FIRs in high-value cyber financial fraud cases. Currently launched as a pilot project in Delhi, the system will automatically convert complaints filed via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or helpline 1930 into Zero FIRs for cases involving losses above ₹10 lakh—significantly enhancing the response time in apprehending cybercriminals.

Why in News?

The e-Zero FIR initiative was launched recently by the Ministry of Home Affairs to fast-track investigations in cyber financial crimes. It is initially being implemented in Delhi and is expected to be extended across India soon.

Aim & Objectives

• Aim: To ensure faster registration and investigation of cyber financial crimes.
• Objective: Streamline the process of converting high-value cyber fraud complaints into FIRs to catch cybercriminals quickly.

Background

• With a rapid increase in online financial frauds, the government saw a pressing need to accelerate the FIR registration process.
• Traditionally, complaints lodged via the NCRP or helpline took time to be converted into FIRs due to multiple verification steps.

Key Features

The e-Zero FIR system will,

• Automatically register Zero FIRs for financial cybercrime complaints above ₹10 lakh.

Accept complaints through,

• National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in)
• Helpline number 1930
• Route the Zero FIRs to the concerned cyber crime police stations.
• Require complainants to visit the cybercrime PS within 3 days to convert Zero FIR into a regular FIR.

Static Facts

• Zero FIR: An FIR that can be filed at any police station, irrespective of the jurisdiction, and later transferred to the appropriate PS.
• I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre): A division under the Ministry of Home Affairs, launched in 2020, to deal with cybercrime in a coordinated manner.
• 1930: Helpline number for financial cyber fraud complaints in India.

Overall Significance

• Improves accountability and transparency in cybercrime handling.
• Ensures faster investigative response and real-time coordination between agencies.
• Boosts public trust in the government’s cyber safety infrastructure.
• Aims to build a cyber-secure India, as emphasized by Amit Shah.