How to File an FIR in 2026 β Zero FIR, e-FIR and Your Rights Under the New BNSS
Since July 2024, India's criminal justice system runs on three new laws β the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaced the IPC, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaced the CrPC, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the Evidence Act. For ordinary citizens, the biggest practical change is how a First Information Report (FIR) is filed β the single document that sets a criminal investigation in motion.
Two years in, police stations across India are running on this system, FIRs are transmitted electronically to courts, and rights that once depended on a helpful officer are now written into the statute. Here's the process, start to finish.
First: FIR or complaint?
An FIR is registered for a cognizable offence β serious matters like theft, robbery, assault, cheating, dowry harassment, kidnapping β where police can investigate and arrest without a court's prior order. For non-cognizable matters (simple hurt, defamation), police record a complaint in their register and you pursue it before a Magistrate. If you're unsure, describe the facts at the station β classification is the officer's job, not yours.
Your three ways to file
1. At any police station β Zero FIR is now the law
Under Section 173 of the BNSS, you can report a cognizable offence at any police station in India, regardless of where the crime happened. If it's outside that station's jurisdiction, they register a Zero FIR (numbered "0") and transfer it to the right station β they cannot turn you away with "wrong thana". What was once just a ministry advisory is now statutory text.
2. Online β e-FIR
The BNSS allows information to be given electronically β through state police portals or the citizen services of the CCTNS network. One condition: you must sign the record within 3 days of submitting it (in person or as the portal directs) for it to be taken on record. Miss that window and the e-complaint lapses.
3. By a relative or friend
The informant doesn't have to be the victim. Anyone with knowledge of the offence can set the process in motion.
For certain offences against women, the statement must be recorded by a woman officer. And the law says persons who are under 15, over 60, or with disability or acute illness cannot be required to attend the police station β police must come to them. A woman victim of sexual offences can have her statement recorded at her residence.
What happens after you file β on a statutory clock
| Stage | Your right under BNSS |
|---|---|
| Registration | Free copy of the FIR, immediately |
| Preliminary enquiry (offences punishable 3β7 years) | Must conclude within 14 days |
| Victim updates | Police must inform you of investigation progress within 90 days |
| Supply of documents | Copy of FIR, statements and other documents to victim/accused within 14 days of cognizance |
| Search of premises | Videography of the search is mandatory |
FIRs, chargesheets and case documents now move electronically between police and courts through the Interoperable Criminal Justice System β which also means your FIR number can be tracked online in most states.
If police refuse to register your FIR
Refusal to register a cognizable offence is itself illegal. Escalate in this order:
- Send your complaint in writing to the Superintendent of Police (or Commissioner) by post or in person under Section 173(4) BNSS. If satisfied a cognizable offence is disclosed, the SP can investigate personally or direct registration.
- Apply to the Judicial Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS to direct the police to register the FIR.
- Keep proof of every attempt β a written complaint copy stamped as received, the e-FIR reference, or a postal receipt. Paper defeats denial.
FIR registration is completely free β the FIR itself, and your copy of it. Any demand for money at this stage should go straight into a complaint to the SP and the state police grievance portal.
Practical tips that strengthen your case
- Go early. Delay invites questions; if there is a delay, state the reason in the complaint itself.
- Stick to facts β date, time, place, people, sequence. Avoid speculation; you can supplement details later in your statement.
- List evidence β injuries, CCTV nearby, witnesses, transaction records β so it enters the record from day one.
- Read before signing. The FIR is your version; make sure it says what you said, in substance.
- For cybercrime and online financial fraud, also file at cybercrime.gov.in and call 1930 β that parallel track freezes money while the FIR drives prosecution.
The bottom line
The BNSS turned filing an FIR from a jurisdiction maze into a citizen's right: any station, or online, with a free copy in hand, timelines on the police, and two clean escalation routes if anyone refuses. Know Section 173 β and if you hear "wrong thana", you now know it's not just unhelpful. It's unlawful.
How this guide is made
Written and fact-checked by the Awareness360 editorial team from primary sources β RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, the Income Tax Department and Government of India portals β with links to the originals in the text above. Last reviewed on 1 Jul 2026. This is general educational information for Indian readers, not professional financial, legal or tax advice.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll correct it β see our editorial policy.