Source: IE
Context:
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its annual Crime in India 2023 report, revealing a significant rise in overall crime, a shift in crime patterns, and growing concerns over cybercrime and crimes against vulnerable sections.
Key Findings (Compared to 2022)
- Overall Crime:
- Total: 6.24 million cases (↑7.2%).
- Crime rate: 448.3 per lakh population (vs. 422.2 in 2022).
- A crime every 5 seconds in India.
- Changing Pattern:
- Decline in traditional violent crimes like rape and dowry deaths.
- Surge in cybercrime and urban crimes.
- Cybercrime:
- ↑ 31.2% in 2023.
- Majority linked to fraud (68.9%), followed by sexual exploitation and extortion.
- Reflects risks of rapid digitalization without adequate cyber hygiene.
- Metropolitan Cities:
- Overall crime ↑ 10.6%.
- Delhi reported the highest number of cases.
- Indicates both urban pressures and improved reporting mechanisms.
- Crimes Against Vulnerable Sections:
- Women: ↑ 0.7%.
- Domestic cruelty = 29.8% of total cases.
- Scheduled Castes (SCs): Marginal increase.
- Scheduled Tribes (STs): ↑ 28.8%, mainly due to ethnic violence in Manipur.
- Children: ↑ 9.2%.
- Large share under POCSO Act, indicating both vulnerability and better reporting.
- Women: ↑ 0.7%.
About NCRB
- Established: 1986 (based on Tandon Committee, National Police Commission 1977-81, and MHA Task Force 1985).
- Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- Functions:
- Repository of crime and criminal data.
- Coordinates CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems).
- Publishes national crime statistics:
- Crime in India
- Accidental Deaths & Suicides
- Prison Statistics
