New Delhi: India recorded a significant decline in overall crime during 2024, with the national crime rate falling by 6 percent compared to the previous year. However, a sharp rise in cybercrime is emerging as a major concern, with cases projected to cross the 100,000 mark in the near future, according to a recent report released by the State Bank of India (SBI).
The report paints a mixed picture of the country’s law-and-order situation. While conventional crimes have shown a downward trend, the rapid expansion of digital services and online transactions has opened new avenues for cybercriminals, resulting in a steady increase in internet-based offences such as online fraud, identity theft, financial scams, and data breaches.
According to the SBI report, India registered 58.86 lakh cognizable crimes in 2024, reflecting a 6 percent decline from the previous year. The country’s overall crime rate also dropped from 448.3 cases per lakh population in 2023 to 418.9 cases per lakh population in 2024. Analysts attribute this improvement to increased public investment, better policing mechanisms, technological advancements, and stronger surveillance infrastructure.
Despite the positive trend in overall crime reduction, cybercrime remains a growing challenge. SBI noted that cybercrime cases are expected to exceed one lakh incidents, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced digital security measures. The increasing use of online banking, digital payment platforms, e-commerce services, and social media has made individuals and businesses more vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks and fraud schemes.
The report also examined crimes against women and found a slight improvement. Cases involving crimes against women decreased from 4.48 lakh in 2023 to 4.41 lakh in 2024, representing a decline of around 1.5 percent. However, SBI cautioned that the reduction is relatively small and should not be interpreted as a resolution of the broader safety concerns faced by women across the country.
According to the report, digital tools such as UPI, FASTag, and advanced surveillance systems have played a role in deterring criminal activity. These technologies generate digital trails that help law enforcement agencies track suspects more effectively, increasing the likelihood of identification and arrest. As a result, the risks and costs associated with criminal activities have risen.
One of the key findings of the study relates to the role of surveillance infrastructure. SBI observed that regions with higher CCTV coverage generally witnessed lower crime levels. Between 2022 and 2024, a negative correlation of -0.148 was recorded between CCTV deployment and crime rates, indicating that improved monitoring can contribute to crime reduction.
The report highlighted the progress made under the Smart Cities Mission, where all 100 designated smart cities are now equipped with Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs). These centres combine real-time monitoring, data analytics, and surveillance technologies to improve urban management and strengthen public safety.
More than 84,000 CCTV cameras have been installed across these smart cities. In addition, authorities have deployed 1,884 emergency call boxes and nearly 3,000 public address systems. SBI stated that such infrastructure not only helps law enforcement respond more efficiently but also enhances citizens’ sense of security while discouraging potential offenders.
Beyond law enforcement, the report underscored the economic implications of crime. It noted that higher crime rates can deter investment, increase operational costs for businesses, and create economic uncertainty. Conversely, safer environments tend to attract greater economic activity and support sustainable growth.
According to SBI’s analysis, a 1 percent reduction in the IPC/BNS crime rate per lakh population could boost real GDP growth by approximately 0.11 percent in the short term. This suggests that crime prevention measures can generate benefits extending beyond public safety and contribute directly to economic development.
The report also emphasized the economic consequences of violence against women. Citing NCRB 2024 data, it recorded 1,20,227 cases of cruelty by husbands or relatives, involving 1,21,166 victims. Furthermore, estimates based on NFHS-5 indicate that nearly 24 percent of India’s 27.88 crore married women experienced physical or sexual violence within the previous year, affecting an estimated 6.69 crore women annually.
SBI concluded that improving women’s safety should be viewed not only as a law-and-order priority but also as a crucial component of labour market participation, social development, and long-term economic growth. The report stresses that while India has made progress in reducing overall crime, addressing cyber threats and ensuring women’s safety will remain critical challenges in the years ahead.
