Crime in India 2023: NCRB Report Highlights

In 2023, a crime was committed in India every 5 seconds. That means by the time you opened this blog and read its title, another crime had already taken place.

That’s the scale of the numbers revealed in the latest “Crime in India 2023” report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). With over 62.4 lakhs cognizable crimes registered 2023, the data shows a clear rise compared to 2022 (58,24,946 Cases). 

The report highlights major increases in offences like obstruction on public ways, vehicle-related violations, and thefts, while serious crimes such as murder and human trafficking saw slight declines. The worrying spike, however, came from cybercrime, which shot up by more than 30%, reflecting India’s growing digital vulnerability.

In this blog, we break down the key highlights of the NCRB Report 2023, category by category, explaining what the numbers really say about India’s crime situation and where the biggest shifts occurred. [Also see comparison table of CRIME IN INDIA 2022 vs 2023]

About the National Crime Records Bureau

For context, the NCRB, established in 1986 under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its India’s central agency for compiling and analyzing crime data. It tracks everything from crime against women, children, and senior citizens to economic offences and cyber frauds, serving as a key resource for policymakers, researchers, and law enforcement.

It was established on recommendations of the Tandon Committee, the National Police Commission (1977-1981), and the MHA’s Task force (1985). Its headquarter is in Delhi. 

Key Functions of NCRB: 

• It functions as the repository of information on crime and criminals to assist the investigators in the resolution of crimes.

• It coordinates the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS).

• It publishes National Crime Statistics, i.e., Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides, and Prison Statistics.

• It also acts as a “national warehouse” for the fingerprint records of Indian and foreign criminals and assists in locating interstate criminals through fingerprint searches.

Limitations of the NCRB Report

By its own admission, the NCRB has highlighted the limitations of its data. For one, “Since the publication caters to the ‘Principal Offence Rule’ for classification of crime, the actual count of each crime head may be underreported.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF CRIME IN INDIA 2023 REPORT

1. OVERALL CRIME 

• Crime rate: Crime rate (Crime rate means crime per lakh population) climbed from 422.2 in 2022 to 448.3 in 2023

• Total cases registered: 62,41,569 cognizable crimes were recorded, out of which 37,63,102 cases were under IPC and 24,78,467 cases were under Special and local laws (SLL)

• India recorded crimes every 5 seconds in 2023. 

• Major Increase:
  a. Obstruction on Public Way (Section 283 IPC): Jumped from 93,548 cases in 2022 to 1,51,469 cases in 2023.
  b. Thefts: Increased from 6,52,731 cases to 6,89,580 cases.
  c. Motor Vehicle Act violations (SLL): Rose sharply from 94,450 cases to 1,91,828 cases (almost double!)

2. CRIME AGAINST WOMEN

• 4,48,211 cases were registered in 2023, with an increase of 0.7% from 2022.

• Highest cases were registered in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and West Bengal

• 29,670 cases were registered for Rape (Highest in Rajasthan)

• Majority of cases were registered under ‘Cruelty by Husband or Relatives’ (29.8%) and ‘Kidnapping and Abduction of Women’ (19.8%), followed by ‘Assault on Women with intent to outrage her modesty’ (18.71%) and ‘Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO)’ (14.8%). 

• Crime rate: 66.2 in 2023, a slight decrease in comparison with 66.4 in 2022.

3. CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN

• 1,77,335 cases were registered in 2023 with an increase of 9.2% from 2022.

• Crime rate: 39.9 in 2023, increased slightly in comparison with 36.6 in 2022. 

• In 96.6% of cases, the offender was known to the victim.

4. JUVENILES IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW

• 31,365 cases have been registered against Juveniles during 2023, an increase of 2.7% over 2022. 

• Crime rate: increased from 6.9 in 2022 to 7.1 in 2023.

• Majority of juveniles were in the age group of 16 years to 18 years (79.0%) during 2023.

5. CRIME AGAINST SENIOR CITIZENS

• 27,886 cases were registered for committing crimes against Senior Citizens (aged above 60 years) in 2023  

• Decline of 2.3% in registration over 2022 

6. CRIME AGAINST SCHEDULED CASTES

• 57,789 cases were registered for committing crimes against the Scheduled Castes, showing an increase of 0.4% over 2022.

• Crime rate: showed an increase from 28.6 in 2022 to 28.7 in 2023.

• Recorded the highest in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

7. CRIME AGAINST SCHEDULED TRIBES

• 12,960 cases were registered for committing crimes against Scheduled Tribes, showing an increase of 28.8% over 2022.

• Crime rate: increased from 9.6 in 2022 to 12.4 in 2023. 

• Worst Affected State: Manipur, grappling with ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since may 2023.

8. ECONOMIC OFFENCES

• 2,04,973 cases were registered in 2023, showing an increase of 6.0% in registration.

• 3,51,656 fake Indian currency notes worth ₹16 cr+ were seized during 2023. 

9. CYBER CRIMES

• 86,420 cases were registered, showing an increase of 31.2% in registration over 2022

• Crime rate: increased from 4.8 in 2022 to 6.2 in 2023

• Highest cases were registered under Fraud (69%), Sexual exploitation (5%), and Extortion (3.8%).

• Karnataka recorded the highest number of cases under cybercrime.

Want to understand how authorities tackle online fraud and scams? Here’s how the cybercrime cell system functions across states — learn more about Cybercrime in India.

10. MURDER

• 27,721 cases registered during 2023, showing a marginal decline of 2.8% over 2022

11. HUMAN TRAFFICKING

• 2,183 cases registered in 2023 as compared to 2,250 cases in the year 2022, showing a decline of 3.0%

12. KIDNAPPING & ABDUCTION

• 1,13,564 cases were registered during 2023, showing an increase of 5.6% over 2022.

If you want clarity on when a case is considered kidnapping or abduction, check the difference between kidnapping and abduction for examples and legal provisions.

13. CORRUPTION

• 4,069 cases of corruption were registered nationwide—a decrease of 1.7% from 4,139 cases in 2022.

• Most cases (71%) were “trap” incidents (caught accepting bribes); others included criminal misconduct and disproportionate assets.

• Maharashtra (812 cases) topped the list, followed by Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

14. SUICIDES (Published Separately in NCRB’s “Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) 2023” Report)

• NCRB 2023 reported 171,418 suicides, a marginal increase from 170,924 in 2022.

• Student suicides reached a record 13,892 in 2023, accounting for 8.1% of all suicides.

• Farmer suicides: 10,786 deaths in 2023, a decline from 11,290 in 2022.

• Top causes included family problems (32%), illness (19%), and economic distress (esp. for farmers).

• Suicide Rate (Per Lakh Pop.): 12.3 (All India Average)

• Top Suicide Rate (States): Sikkim (40.2), Kerala (30.6), and Telangana (27.7).

Maharashtra had the highest farm sector suicides; Kerala led among unemployed suicides

NCRB Crime in India 2023: Metropolitan Cities 

(19 Metropolitan Cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune and Surat) 

1. OVERALL CRIME 

• 9,44,291 cognizable crimes were registered across 19 metropolitan cities.

• Increase: +10.6% over 2022 

• Highest Cases: Delhi (3,43,483 cases).

2. CRIME AGAINST WOMEN

• 51,393 cases were registered, an increase of 5.4% over 2022

• Major Offense: Cruelty by Husband or Relatives (30.8%). 

• Highest Cases: Delhi (13,366 cases).

3. CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN

• 22,433 cases were registered, showing an increase of 9.2% over 2022.

• Major Offense: Kidnapping and Abduction of Children (56%)

• Highest Cases: Delhi (7,769 cases).

4. CYBER CRIMES

• 33,955 cases were registered. 

• Increase: +39.0% over 2022 (24,420 cases). 

• Crime Rate: increased from 21.4 in 2022 to 29.8 in 2023. 

• Primary Offense: Computer-Related Offenses (60.3%). 

• Highest Cases: Bengaluru (21,889 cases).

5. ECONOMIC OFFENCES 

• 41,220 cases were registered. 

• Increase: +1.1% over 2022 (40,760 cases). 

6. CRIME AGAINST SCHEDULED CASTES 

• 2,520 cases were registered

• Increase: 7.4% over 2022 (2,347 cases).

• Major Offence: Criminal Intimidation (21.8%).

7. CRIME AGAINST SCHEDULED TRIBES 

• 349 cases were registered 

• Increase: 6.1% over 2022 (329 cases).

• Major Offence: Rape (14.3%) formed the highest number of cases.

CRIME IN INDIA 2022 VS 2023

Want to compare the trends in crime statistics year-on-year? Review the NCRB Report 2022 for insights into how major categories evolved before 2023.

FAQs for NCRB Report 2023

• What is the NCRB Report 2023?
  The NCRB Report 2023, primarily the "Crime in India 2023" publication, is an annual comprehensive compilation of crime statistics reported by police across all States and Union Territories of India. It serves as a vital statistical resource for law enforcement, policymakers, and academics to analyze crime trends, patterns, and judicial disposal.

• Who publishes the NCRB Report in India?
  The report is published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The NCRB functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.

• What are the key highlights of the NCRB Report 2023?
  Key highlights include a 7.2% overall increase in cognizable crimes and a sharp 31.2% surge in cybercrimes. Conversely, it shows a 2.8% decline in murder cases but an alarming 28.8% spike in crimes against Scheduled Tribes (STs). 

• What is the NCRB report on suicide cases 2023?
  The Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) 2023 report, released by the NCRB, recorded 1,71,418 suicides. This is a minor 0.3% increase over 2022. Family Problems remain the leading cause.

• How to download the NCRB report online?
  The Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) 2023 report, released by the NCRB, recorded 1,71,418 suicides. This is a minor 0.3% increase over 2022. Family Problems remain the leading cause.

• What is the NCRB report for vehicles?
  The report details various vehicle-related crimes, noting that Theft of Auto/Motor Vehicles is a major IPC crime head. Crucially, cases under the Motor Vehicle Act (an SLL crime) nearly doubled in 2023, heavily contributing to the overall rise in crime figures.

• What does the NCRB report say about crimes against children?
  Crimes against children rose significantly by 9.2% to 1,77,335 cases in 2023. The majority of offences fall under Kidnapping and Abduction (45.0%) and the POCSO Act (38.2%).

• Is the NCRB report useful for UPSC and other exams?
  Yes, the NCRB report is considered a crucial resource for UPSC and other competitive exams, as it provides authoritative, factual data on social issues, law and order, and national security. It is indispensable for analyzing crime trends, government policy effectiveness, and judicial performance.

• What is the crime rate in India NCRB report?
  The overall crime rate (cognizable crimes per lakh population) in India, as per the NCRB 2023 report, is 448.3. This marks an increase from the 2022 rate of 422.2.

•  What is driving the rise of cybercrime in India?
  The rise is primarily driven by Fraud cases, which account for nearly 69% of all registered cybercrime incidents. This trend reflects increased reliance on digital platforms and the vulnerability of users to online financial scams.