NCRB Report 2022 – The crime story

Source: The post on NCRB Report 2022 has been created based on the article “Express View on latest NCRB data: The crime story” published in “Indian Express” on 6th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1- Society- Salient features of Indian Society.

News: The article discusses the National Crime Records Bureau’s annual report for 2022. The report highlights an increase in crimes in India, especially against vulnerable groups, and emphasizes the growing issue of cybercrimes, underscoring the need for improved crime reporting and prevention strategies.

About National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is a government agency in India, headquartered in New Delhi. It was established in 1986 and operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

The NCRB’s main job is to collect and analyze crime data based on the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws.

They publish a report each year, containing statistics on various types of crimes, including financial, commercial, and crimes against women. This data is gathered by State Crime Records Bureaux (SCRBx) from District Crime Records Bureaux (DCRBx) and sent to the NCRB at the end of each calendar year.

For information on key findings of NCRB report 2022 read here

What does the NCRB report for 2022 indicate?

1.The report shows a significant increase in crimes in India, particularly against women, children, senior citizens, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. Notably, there were 468 suicides daily in 2022, and cybercrimes rose by nearly 25%.

2.The NCRB clarifies that the data represents registered crimes, not the actual total number of crimes, suggesting potential under-reporting. This under-reporting is particularly concerning in cases where the perpetrators are acquaintances of the victims.

3.The report is crucial for understanding crime patterns and for formulating policies to protect vulnerable groups.

4.The NCRB also notes that the increase in crime numbers in certain areas, like Delhi, could be attributed to greater awareness, increased presence of law enforcement agencies, or citizen-centric initiatives.

What should be done?

Enhance Reporting Accuracy: The NCRB should improve its data collection methodologies to more accurately reflect the actual number of crimes, considering that the current data only includes registered crimes.

Prioritize Vulnerable Groups: The report highlights the necessity to make homes, educational institutions, and public spaces safer, particularly for women, children, and marginalized communities.

Combat Cybercrime Rise: In response to the 25% increase in cybercrimes, law enforcement agencies must adapt and enhance their capabilities to tackle these digital threats.

Utilize Data for Policy Making: The NCRB data, despite its limitations, should be used as a valuable aid for developing policies and strategies to address the highlighted issues.

Question for practice:

Examine the key findings and implications of the National Crime Records Bureau’s 2022 report for crime trends and prevention in India.