What happened: PIB guidance on NCRP-to-FIR workflow and role distribution
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, issued guidance (through PIB) clarifying how cybercrime action should proceed from reporting on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) to criminal proceedings. The guidance sets out who does what after a cybercrime complaint is received online and converted into a First Information Report (FIR).
What States/Union Territories (UTs) do in cybercrime cases
States and Union Territories are primarily responsible for preventing, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting crimes, including cybercrime cases. For cybercrime response, States/UTs handle the operational chain from NCRP reporting to FIR and onward criminal justice steps through their law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
Key responsibilities stated in the guidance include:
Prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of crimes, including cybercrime, through State/UT Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).Establishment of cyber forensic laboratories by States/UTs under their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).Handling reported cybercrime incidents on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and converting them into FIRs.Continuing case action after FIR registration, including filing of chargesheets, arrest, and resolution of complaints as per the provisions of law.
Related current affairs
- NCRB publishes cyber crime data (Crime in India 2024) and MHA initiatives under I4C/NCRP/CFCFRMS
- Forensic capacity expansion: operational CFSls/FSLs, and support under Nirbhaya scheme for DNA and cyber forensic capabilities
- National-Digital Investigation Support Centre (I4C): early-stage forensic assistance to State/UT police
- CCPWC Scheme: Rs. 132.93 crore financial assistance for cyber forensic capacity building for women and children
- Government approves NFIES for strengthening forensic infrastructure (₹2,254.43 crore)
- Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029) released