UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2026

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:

  1. 1, 2 and 3
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 only
  4. 2 only

Answer

Correct Answer

2 only

Explanation

The official answer is D. Statement 1 is not correct as worded because Zero FIR under Section 173 of the BNSS concerns cognizable offences; the statement incorrectly includes non-cognizable offences. Statement 2 is correct: under the prescribed circumstances, the officer-in-charge may conduct a preliminary enquiry with the required permission of the competent authority. Statement 3 is incorrect because information may be furnished electronically, but electronic submission is not obligatory.

Topics: bnss, criminal justice, polity, zero fir