Crime in India 2024 Report: NCRB Findings on Cybercrime, Drugs & Social Distress

The latest Crime in India 2024 report released by the National Crime Records Bureau highlights rising cybercrime and drug overdose deaths despite an overall decline in crime rates across India.

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Key Findings of NCRB Report 2024

• Cybercrime Cases Rose Sharply: India recorded 1,01,928 cybercrime cases in 2024, a 17% rise from 86,420 cases in 2023, mainly driven by online financial frauds.
• Fraud Became the Dominant Cyber Offence: About 72.6% cybercrime cases involved fraud, while sexual exploitation and extortion accounted for 3.1% and 2.5% respectively.
• Overall Crime Rate Declined: The country registered 58.86 lakh cognisable crimes in 2024, reflecting a 6% decline compared to 2023.
• Offences Against the State Increased: Cases related to offences “against the state” rose by 6.6% to 5,194, with most registered under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
• Crimes Against SCs and STs Declined: Cases against Scheduled Castes declined by 3.6% to 55,698, while crimes against Scheduled Tribes dropped sharply by 23.1% to 9,966.
• Drug Overdose Deaths Increased Alarmingly: Deaths due to drug overdose rose by nearly 50% from 650 in 2023 to 978 in 2024, with Tamil Nadu reporting the highest fatalities.
• Suicides Reflected Socio-Economic Distress: India recorded 1,70,746 suicides in 2024, with daily wage workers, farmers, unemployed persons, students, and housewives forming major vulnerable groups.

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About National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

• The NCRB is India’s central agency for collecting, analysing, and disseminating crime and criminal data.
• Origin and Establishment: The NCRB was established in 1986 based on recommendations of the Tandon Committee, National Police Commission, and the MHA Task Force (1985).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Key Roles of NCRB
  • National Crime Data Repository: NCRB maintains nationwide databases on crimes, criminals, missing persons, and fingerprints to support law enforcement agencies.
  • Publication of Crime Statistics: It publishes major reports such as Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI), and Prison Statistics India annually.
  • Implementation of CCTNS: NCRB coordinates the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) for digital integration of police stations across India.
  • Support to Criminal Investigation: The bureau provides technical and analytical support for crime investigation, inter-state coordination, and identification of repeat offenders.
  • Promotion of e-Governance in Policing: NCRB facilitates modernization, digitisation, and interoperability of policing and criminal justice systems in India.

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