UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I
Question 62: Polity and Governance
Which of the following statements about a Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 is/are correct ?
- 1.A Zero FIR can be lodged at a police station, even though the place of commission of a cognizable/non-cognizable offence is outside the territorial jurisdiction of that police station.
- 2.The Officer-in-Charge of the police station where a Zero FIR has been lodged may, with the permission of the competent authority, initiate a preliminary enquiry.
- 3.Under Zero FIR, it is obligatory for the informant to furnish information electronically.
Select the answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
A Zero FIR can be registered at any police station for a cognizable offence regardless of where it happened, and is then transferred to the police station with jurisdiction. Statement 1 wrongly adds non-cognizable offences, for which an FIR is not registered. Under Section 173 of the BNSS, for offences punishable with three years or more but less than seven, the officer may hold a preliminary enquiry with the prior permission of a DSP-rank officer, so statement 2 is right. Information may be given orally or electronically, so electronic submission is not obligatory.
- 1. A Zero FIR relates to cognizable offences; it does not extend to non-cognizable ones.
- 2. A preliminary enquiry is allowed, with the prior permission of a senior officer, for certain offences.
- 3. Information may be oral or electronic; electronic is not compulsory.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: A Zero FIR relates to cognizable offences; it does not extend to non-cognizable ones.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 3.
What you needed to know: Information may be oral or electronic; electronic is not compulsory.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.
This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: statements 1 and 3 are incorrect.
- (b) Wrong: statement 3 is false, as information can be given orally or electronically.
- (c) Wrong: statement 1 wrongly includes non-cognizable offences.
- (d) Right: only the preliminary enquiry statement is correct.
Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.