CYBERCRIME UP BY 17% – NCRB REPORT

NEWS: Overall crime rate decreased by 6%, Cybercrime increased by 17%

CONTEXT

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released the Crime in India 2024 Report.
• Rise in: Drug overdose deaths, Offences against the State, Suicide-related concerns

About NCRB

• National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)à Central agency responsible for: Collecting, Analysing, Publishing crime data in India
• Established: 1986
• Works under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Major Publications

• Crime in India Report
• Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) report

Cybercrime Rise

• 17% Increase in Cybercrime
• Cybercrime cases rose from: 86,420 (2023) to 1,01,928 (2024)

Main Reasons Behind Cybercrime

• Fraud: Accounted for: 72.6% of cybercrime cases, Around 73,987 cases
• Other Causes: Sexual exploitation: 3.1%, Extortion: 2.5%

Main Laws Involved

• Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act
• Covered: 84.6% of cases
• Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act – UAPA
• Accounted for: Around 12.5% of cases

Key Concerns Highlighted by the Report

• Rising Cybercrime: Digital fraud and online exploitation increasing rapidly.
• Mental Health Crisis
• High suicide rates among: Daily wage earners, Farmers, Students, housewives
• Drug Abuse Problem: Significant rise in overdose deaths