NCRB Report 2024: Overall Crimes Decline by 6%, but Cybercrime and Drug Overdoses Surge
NEW DELHI – The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its annual “Crime in India, 2024” report on Wednesday, revealing a complex shift in the country’s safety landscape. While the overall cognizable crime rate saw a 6% decline compared to 2023, the data highlights a sharp spike in digital offenses and a concerning rise in drug-related fatalities.
The Digital Frontier: Cybercrime on the Rise
The most significant trend in the 2024 report is the 17% surge in cybercrime, with total registrations crossing the 1-lakh mark for the first time.
- Total Cases: 1,01,928 (up from 86,420 in 2023).
- Primary Motive: Fraud remains the dominant driver, accounting for 72.6% of all cases.
- Other Motives: Sexual exploitation (3.1%) and extortion (2.5%) were the other leading causes for digital FIRs.
General Crime Trends and State Offenses
India recorded a total of 58.86 lakh cognizable crimes in 2024. The transition in India’s legal framework was evident, as 35.44 lakh cases were registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and its successor, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Notably, offenses “against the state” increased by 6.6% (5,194 cases).
- 84.6% of these cases were registered under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
- 12.5% (649 cases) were filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Crimes Against SC/ST Communities
The report brought a measure of positive data regarding crimes against marginalized communities, showing a downward trend in both categories:
| Category | 2024 Cases | Trend vs. 2023 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 55,698 | ▼ 3.6% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 9,966 | ▼ 23.1% |
Accidental Deaths and Suicides (ADSI)
The ADSI 2024 report painted a sobering picture of mental health and economic distress, recording 1,70,746 suicides nationwide.
- Daily Wagers: This group remains the most vulnerable, accounting for 31% of total suicides.
- Agriculture Sector: 10,546 individuals (farmers and agricultural laborers) died by suicide, representing 6.2% of the total.
- Demographic Breakdown: Homemakers (22,113), unemployed persons (14,778), and students (14,488) also recorded high figures.
The Drug Crisis: 50% Spike in Overdose Deaths
A major red flag in the 2024 data is the escalating drug crisis. Fatalities due to drug overdoses jumped from 650 in 2023 to 978 in 2024.
Highest Reported Overdose Deaths by State:
- Tamil Nadu: 313 deaths
- Punjab: 106 deaths
- Madhya Pradesh: 90 deaths
- Rajasthan: 69 deaths
- Mizoram: 65 deaths
The NCRB report serves as a critical roadmap for law enforcement and policymakers, emphasizing the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and targeted mental health and substance abuse interventions.