- Why in news
- On 11 August 2026, the MoS Home Affairs told the Lok Sabha in a written reply how e-FIRs work under Section 173 of the BNSS, 2023, including the three-day signing rule.
- What it is
- The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 is the new procedural criminal law that replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 173 deals with registering information about cognizable offences (the FIR). It allows information to be given orally or electronically, and allows it irrespective of where the offence occurred.
- Who can receive it
- Information goes to the officer in charge of a police station, whatever the area of the offence (zero-FIR principle).
- Three-day signing rule
- An e-FIR is taken on record only after the informant signs it within three days.
- Oral information
- If given orally, the officer writes it down and the informant signs it.
- Replaced law
- BNSS, 2023 replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
Don’t confuse with BNSS vs BNS: BNSS is the procedural law (replacing CrPC). The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is the substantive penal law (replacing IPC).
Don’t confuse with Zero FIR vs e-FIR: Zero FIR concerns registering at any police station regardless of jurisdiction. e-FIR concerns the mode of giving information electronically.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Electronic reporting eases access to police and can reduce delays and refusals to register complaints.
- The signature requirement keeps the informant accountable and guards against false complaints.
Problems
- Digital divide limits use by poor, rural or less literate complainants.
- Informants may fail to sign within three days, so the case is not recorded.
Way forward
- Add e-signature and Aadhaar-based verification for faster confirmation.
- Run awareness drives and train police on electronic complaint handling.
Put in your answer
BNSS Section 173: Allows oral or electronic information on cognizable offences, with signature within three days for e-information.
- 2026Prelims Q62Which statements on Zero FIR under BNSS 2023 are correct, including lodging outside jurisdiction?
- 2021Mains GS2 · Q11Explain the states' limited power to withhold consent to CBI lodging FIRs and probing, given federalism.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Legal provision: information by electronic communication must be signed within three days. Fresh law fact, but a single provision gives thin Mains scope.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.