Crime in India 2023: NCRB data shows 7.2% rise in cognisable crimes; shifting patterns, delays and scrutiny intensify
Introduction & Context
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) annually publishes key reports—Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India, and Prison Statistics India—drawing on data collected from State Crime Records Bureaux and metropolitan cities. (factly.in)
- Historically, these are released in the latter half of the following year (i.e. data for year N is published in N+1). (ndtv.com)
- For 2023, there has been unusual delay in public release. As of mid-2025, parts of the report or the official final version are being finalized; data validation was said to be in final stages. (indianexpress.com)
- Parliamentary queries have been raised about the reasons for delay, with the Home Ministry citing multi-stage validation across 89 data-supplying centers (36 States/UTs + 53 metropolitan cities) and the need for reconciling discrepancies. (indianexpress.com)
- Meanwhile, various news outlets and policy forums have published interpretations and provisional figures based on what has surfaced publicly. (nextias.com)
Key Highlights & Trends from 2023 Data (as reported / interpreted)
Overall Crime Growth
- In 2023, a total of 6.24 million (62,41,569) cognisable cases were recorded. This marks a 7.2% increase over 2022 (58,24,946 cases). (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- The crime rate (per lakh population) rose from 422.2 in 2022 to 448.3 in 2023. (theprint.in)
- Of the total cases, IPC (Indian Penal Code) crimes constituted ~ 60.3%, and Special & Local Laws (SLL) constituted ~ 39.7%. IPC crimes grew ~5.7%, while SLL crimes saw ~9.5% increase over 2022. (theprint.in)
Violent / Serious Crimes: Murders, Homicides, etc.
- Murder cases registered a slight decline: around 27,721 cases in 2023 (with 28,587 deaths), compared to 28,552 cases in 2022 (with 29,356 deaths). (~3% dip). (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- States with highest murder volumes included Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- Other categories of violent crime (dowry deaths, abetment to suicide, rape) did not uniformly decline, and some saw increases. (newsclick.in)
Crimes Against Women and Children, Vulnerable Groups
- Crimes against women rose by ~4%. (newsclick.in)
- Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of crimes against women, followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan. (newsclick.in)
- Delhi topped metropolitan cities in crimes against women, children, seniors, and missing children. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- Crimes against children rose to ~1,77,335 cases (~9.2% more than 2022). (Economic Times)
- Crimes against Scheduled Tribes (STs) increased ~28.8% (10,064 in 2022 to 12,960 in 2023). (TOI)
- Crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) remained high (57,789 cases in 2023). (TOI)
Cybercrime & Digital Offences
- Cybercrime surged ~31% in 2023. (India Today)
- Majority were fraud-related. (NextIAS)
- Reflects deeper digital penetration, online transactions, and evolving tactics. (arxiv.org)
- National cybercrime helpline: 1930
Other Trends
- Obstruction on public ways jumped from 93,548 cases (2022) to 151,469 (2023). (theprint.in)
- Motor Vehicle Act violations nearly doubled from 94,450 (2022) to 191,828 (2023). (theprint.in)
- Crimes by non-Indians rose ~21.2%: 2,546 cases in 2023 vs 2,100 in 2022. (Economic Times)
- Fake currency seizures: UP led in low denomination, Delhi in high denomination. (TOI)
- Natural hazard deaths: Lightning killed 2,560 people, with Chhattisgarh worst hit. (TOI)
- Pesticide poisoning deaths: 1,197 deaths from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal (~15.5% of India total). (TOI)
State / Regional Insights
- Haryana: 1,042 murders, 129,294 total cases, crime rate 426.3 per lakh. (TOI)
- Maharashtra: High in women’s crimes, farmers’ suicides, cybercrime. (Maharashtra Times)
- Delhi: Major hotspot in metropolitan indicators. (TOI)
Assessment, Challenges & Caveats
- Delays & Validation Issues: Long delay, multi-stage validation cited. (New Indian Express)
- Underreporting: Crimes (sexual violence, caste atrocities, cybercrime) underreported, varies across states.
- Comparative Trends: Need to see in long-term context, some crimes fell (murder).
- Media Reporting: Interpretations may vary before final report publication.
Implications & Way Forward
- Strengthen cyber policing & digital forensics.
- Support systems for women, children, SC/ST victims.
- Uniform data standards across states.
- Improve trial, conviction speed.
- Preventive strategies at hotspots.
- Transparency & timely release benchmarks.
Reactions & Criticisms
- Opposition criticized delay, undermines accountability. (NDTV)
- Concerns about suppression of sensitive data in BJP states. (TOI)
- Analysts note limitations in NCRB data collection and underreporting. (ORF)
Summary & Outlook
Provisional 2023 data shows 7.2% rise in cognisable crime; crime rate up to 448.3. Murder slightly declined, but crimes against women, SC/ST, and cybercrime rose sharply. Delays in release remain problematic. Final official report awaited.
Link to Official / Original Reports Portal
Access NCRB’s official reports here: NCRB Annual Reports
