- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released the Crime in India 2023 report (after two years gap).
- Major finding: Cybercrime has sharply increased, showing India’s growing vulnerabilities in the digital ecosystem.
- Report marks a transition point as it is the last annual report under IPC, with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 applicable from July 2024.
Key Findings
Overall Crime Statistics (2023)
- Total crimes: 6.24 million cases (↑7.2% from 2022) – roughly 1 case every 5 seconds.
- Traditional violent crimes: Decline observed.
- Murder: ↓2.8%
- Rape: ↓5.9%
- Other categories surged:
- Obstruction on public way (Sec. 283 IPC): ↑62%
- Motor Vehicle Act violations: ↑103%
- Cybercrime & economic offences – steep rise.
Offences Against Vulnerable Sections
- Women: ↑0.7% – 448,211 cases.
- SCs: ↑0.4% – 57,789 cases.
- STs: ↑28.8%.
- Children: ↑9.2% – 177,335 cases.
Cybercrime Trends
- Total cases: 86,420 in 2023 (↑31.2% from 65,893 in 2022).
- Cybercrime rate: ↑ from 4.8% (2022) → 6.2% (2023).
- Trend since 2018:
- 2018: 27,248
- 2019: 44,735
- 2020: 50,035
- 2021: 52,974
- 2022: 65,893
- 2023: 86,420
- Motives behind cybercrimes (2023):
- Fraud: 68.9% (59,526 cases)
- Sexual exploitation: 4.9% (4,199 cases)
- Extortion: 3.8% (3,326 cases)
State-wise cybercrime (2023)
- Karnataka: 21,889 cases (highest; included 18,166 cheating by personation & 1,007 obscene video transfers).
- Telangana: 18,236 cases.
- Uttar Pradesh: 10,794 cases.
Economic Offences
Total: 2,04,973 cases (↑6% from 2022).
- Forgery, cheating, fraud (FCF): 1,81,553 cases.
- Criminal breach of trust: 22,759 cases.
- Counterfeiting: 661 cases.
Crime Against Children
- Total: 177,335 cases (↑9.2% over 2022).
- Rate: 39.9 per lakh child population (↑ from 36.6 in 2022).
Major categories:
- Kidnapping/Abduction: 79,884 cases (45%).
- POCSO Act cases: 67,694 (38.2%).
- Includes 40,434 penetrative sexual assault cases.
- Offenders mostly known persons: family members (3,224), neighbours/employers (15,146), friends/online/live-in partners (20,706).
Victim demographics:
- Below 6 yrs: 762 victims.
- 6–12 yrs: 3,229.
- 12–16 yrs: 15,444.
- 16–18 yrs: 21,411.
- Girls – majority of rape/POCSO victims.
Other crimes:
- 1,219 murders (89 linked to rape/POCSO).
- 3,050 simple hurt.
- 373 abetment to suicide.
- 6,038 cases under Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
- 1,390 under Child Labour Act.
State-wise:
- Madhya Pradesh: 22,393 (highest).
- Maharashtra & UP followed.
- Assam: sharp rise (10,174 cases).
- Bihar: 9,906 cases.
- Delhi (UT): 7,769 cases (high rate).
Police response:
- Total cases investigated: 2,57,756.
- Chargesheeted: 1,12,290 (64.3%).
- Pending: 80,198 cases.
Analysis & Implications
- Shift in crime profile: From traditional violent crimes → cyber & economic offences.
- Digital fraud dominance: 70% of cybercrimes linked to fraud; reflects weak cybersecurity awareness.
- Urbanisation impact: Karnataka, Telangana, and UP major hubs – correlates with IT penetration, digital adoption.
- Child safety concerns: Rise in POCSO & abduction cases → family/known persons as prime offenders.
- Legal transition: Last NCRB report under IPC; future reports to follow BNS 2023 framework.
- Need: Stronger cybercrime investigation units, digital literacy, and child protection mechanisms.
Key Facts
NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau):
- HQ: New Delhi.
- Established: 1986 under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- Functions: Collects & analyses crime data.
- Reports by NCRB:
- Crime in India (CII) – annual flagship publication.
- Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI).
- Prison Statistics India (PSI).
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023:
- Came into force: 1 July 2024.
- Replaced Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act with new criminal justice framework.
IPC Sections Mentioned in Report:
- Sec. 283 IPC – Obstruction in public way.
- POCSO Act, 2012 – Protects children from sexual offences.
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
- Child Labour Act, 1986.
Global Cybercrime Context:
- Cybercrime expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025 (Cybersecurity Ventures).
- India ranks among top targets globally for phishing & online fraud.