UPSC Prelims 2026 Q76: INTERPOL Colour-Coded Notices — Explained

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:

List I (INTERPOL Notice) — List II (Description)

A. Silver Notice

B. Blue Notice

C. Black Notice

D. Green Notice

List II:

1. To seek information on unidentified bodies

2. To collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation

3. To provide warning about a person's criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety

4. To identify and trace criminal assets

  1. A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
  2. A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
  3. A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
  4. A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3

Answer: (c) A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3

Statement-wise explanation

  • A: correct — The Silver Notice matches 4: it is used to identify and trace criminal assets. INTERPOL published the first one on 10 January 2025, at Italy's request, about the assets of a senior mafia member. It began as a pilot with 52 countries and territories. Member countries can use it to ask for information on properties, vehicles, bank accounts and businesses linked to crimes such as fraud, corruption and drug trafficking.
  • B: correct — The Blue Notice matches 2. INTERPOL states its purpose as 'to collect additional information about a person's identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation'. It only asks for information. It does not seek arrest, which is the job of the Red Notice.
  • C: correct — The Black Notice matches 1: it seeks information on unidentified bodies. Do not confuse it with the Yellow Notice. The Yellow Notice is for missing persons who are alive, often minors, or for people who cannot identify themselves.
  • D: correct — The Green Notice matches 3. It warns about a person's criminal activities where that person is considered a possible threat to public safety. It is a warning about a person. The Orange Notice is different: it warns of an event, object or process that is a serious and imminent threat.

How to eliminate

Two notices can be worked out from what the colours suggest. Silver points to money or valuables, so it goes with tracing criminal assets (4). Black points to death, so it goes with unidentified bodies (1). Only one option has both A-4 and C-1, so these two pairs alone settle the question. Each one also cuts the options in half. Silver = assets leaves only the two options starting A-4. Black = bodies leaves only the two options with C-1. Once those are fixed, Blue must take information-gathering (2) and Green must take the public-safety warning (3). These two fit their descriptions, so they work as a check. If you guessed from colours alone, the trap was linking Green or Silver with a 'warning'. The fact to remember is INTERPOL's official purpose for each colour, especially the new Silver Notice (assets, 2025 pilot).

Know more

INTERPOL Notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts. A member country's National Central Bureau (NCB) asks for a Notice. INTERPOL's General Secretariat in Lyon publishes it. Notices go to all 196 member countries. Diffusions are less formal requests sent only to selected countries. In India, the CBI is the NCB for INTERPOL.

Notice Purpose
Red Find and arrest a person wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence
Yellow Find missing persons (often minors), or identify people who cannot identify themselves
Blue Collect more information about a person's identity, location or activities in a criminal investigation
Black Seek information on unidentified bodies
Green Warn about a person's criminal activities where the person may threaten public safety
Orange Warn of an event, person, object or process that is a serious and imminent threat
Purple Seek or share information on criminals' modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods
Silver (pilot) Identify and trace criminal assets
INTERPOL–UN Security Council Special Notice Entities and individuals targeted by UNSC sanctions committees

Points often tested:

  • A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. Each country decides how to act on it under its own law.
  • Silver Notice is the newest Notice. The first one was published on 10 January 2025 at Italy's request, with a pilot of 52 countries and territories. INTERPOL notes that about 99% of criminal assets are never recovered. That is why tracing assets matters.
  • In May 2025, the CBI obtained India's first Silver Notices. They concerned a visa-fraud accused said to own properties in Dubai.
  • BHARATPOL, the CBI's portal launched on 7 January 2025, lets Indian police and agencies send requests for INTERPOL Notices through one system.

In the news

INTERPOL launched the Silver Notice as a pilot in January 2025 to trace criminal assets. In May 2025, the CBI obtained India's first Silver Notices, and that made news. The BHARATPOL portal, launched in January 2025, also put INTERPOL Notices in Indian news.

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