Why is it in the News?

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its annual report on crime in India for the year 2022 on Sunday (December 3).
• The report is a compilation of data on reported crime from across the country, and provides the big picture of broad trends in crime registration.
• Reports by the NCRB, which functions under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, include statistics on offences ranging from crimes against women to economic and financial crimes.

What does the 2022 NCRB report say?

• Overall Crime Statistics: In 2022, a total of 58,24,946 cognizable crimes, including 35,61,379 Indian Penal Code (IPC) crimes and 22,63,567 Special & Local Laws (SLL) crimes, were officially recorded.
  • This marked a 4.5% decrease in case registrations compared to the challenging pandemic year of 2021.
• The crime rate has declined: The crime rate, indicating crimes registered per lakh population, saw a decline from 445.9 in 2021 to 422.2 in 2022.
  • This shift is considered a more insightful indicator, recognizing that absolute crime numbers tend to rise with population growth.
• Increase in crime against women: Crime against women witnessed an uptick in 2022, with 4,45,256 reported cases, reflecting a 4% increase from the figures recorded in 2021.
  • Notably, the major share of these crimes under IPC sections included 'Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives' (31.4%), 'Kidnapping & Abduction of Women' (19.2%), and 'Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage her Modesty' (18.7%).
• Increase in reporting of cybercrime: Cybercrime reporting witnessed a substantial surge, increasing by 24.4 percentage points compared to 2021, with a total of 65,893 cases.
  • Predominantly, 64.8% of these cases involved fraud, followed by extortion (5.5%), and sexual exploitation (5.2%).
• Significant increase in suicides cases: Suicides reported during 2022 increased by 4.2% compared to 2021, totaling 1,70,924 cases.
  • Major contributing factors were 'Family Problems (other than marriage-related problems)' (31.7%), 'Marriage Related Problems' (4.8%), and 'Illness' (18.4%), collectively accounting for 54.9% of total suicides.
  • The overall male-to-female ratio of suicide victims stood at 71.8:28.2.

What are the headline trends in state-wise data in the report?

• The states/ UTs reporting the highest chargesheeting rate under IPC crimes are Kerala (96.0%), Puducherry (91.3%), and West Bengal (90.6%).
• This is the percentage of cases in which the police reached the stage of framing charges against the accused, out of the total true cases (where a charge sheet was not laid but a final report submitted as true, plus the total cases chargesheeted).

Does this mean that these states are more crime-prone than others?

• Not necessarily. The NCRB report underlines that the data record the incidence of registered crime, not the actual occurrence of crime.

• This is an important distinction — and also an acknowledgement of the fact that there are limitations to the data.
• So, when reported crimes against women in Delhi rose significantly in the aftermath of the 2012 bus gangrape case, it may have been a reflection of increased awareness about the need for registering crimes, both among those affected and the police, rather than an actual increase in the incidence of crime against women.

What are the limitations to the data compiled by NCRB?

• Data Reflects Registered Crimes, Not Actual Occurrence: The NCRB report captures registered crimes, not the actual occurrence of crime.
  • Instances like the reported rise in crimes against women in Delhi post the 2012 bus gangrape may indicate increased awareness rather than an actual surge in crime.
• Limitations Due to Principal Offence Rule: NCRB employs the Principal Offence Rule, counting the most severe crime in a single FIR.
  • This may lead to undercounting, as in cases like 'Murder with Rape' being categorized as 'Murder' rather than rape.
• Local-Level Inefficiencies Impact Report Accuracy: Inefficiencies at the local level influence report accuracy as the NCRB data relies on submissions from local sources.
  • The recording of details in an FIR, for example in suicide cases, depends on the understanding of the local police officer visiting the scene.
• Socio-Economic Causative Factors Not Captured: The NCRB acknowledges the omission of socio-economic causative factors or reasons for crimes in its data compilation.
  • Important factors influencing criminal behavior may be overlooked.
• Factors Affecting Data Collection: Certain groups may refrain from reporting crimes due to reasons such as fear of an uncooperative or hostile response from the police.
  • Shortage of police officers or unfilled vacancies at the local level can hinder effective data collection.
  • These limitations underscore the need for a nuanced interpretation of NCRB data, recognizing the potential biases and gaps inherent in its compilation process.

About National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB):

• The NCRB was established in January 1986 as a body mandated to compile and keep records of data on crime.
• It’s headquartered is in New Delhi and is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
• It was set up based on the recommendation of the National Police Commission, 1977 and a Task force, 1985.

Function of the NCRB:

• The NCRB functions as a crucial repository, aiding investigators in tracing crimes and criminals.
• It serves as a national warehouse for fingerprint records, encompassing both Indian and foreign criminals.
  • This facilitates the identification and tracking of interstate criminals through fingerprint searches.
• Entrusted in 2009, the NCRB is responsible for monitoring, coordinating, and implementing the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) project.
• In 2017, the NCRB introduced the National Digital Police Portal, empowering police officers to search for criminals or suspects in the CCTNS database.
  • Additionally, it provides citizens with services like online complaint filing.

Reports Published:

• Apart from the esteemed Crime in India report, the NCRB publishes:
  • Prisons Statistics India Report.
  • Accidental Deaths and Suicides
  • Prison Statistics
  • Reports on Missing Women and children in India

Compilation of Data for NCRB Reports:

• For the NCRB’s flagship annual Crime in India reports, information is obtained from the police forces of 36 states and Union Territories.
  • Similar data are furnished for 53 cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh each as per the 2011 Census, by respective state-level crime records bureaus.
• The information is entered by state/UT police at the level of the local police station, and is validated at the levels of the district and state, and finally, by the NCRB.

How to Enhance the Effectiveness of NCRB's Operations:

• States should leverage NCRB's data in crafting their annual police strategies, ensuring its multi-dimensional use in crime control to achieve tangible outcomes.
• Despite the connection of 16,390 police stations on CCTNS, it's crucial for central agencies like the CBI, NCB, and NIA to integrate with it, fostering comprehensive data sharing.
• It is imperative for all agencies to promptly join the CCTNS, striving for 100 percent completeness in data to enhance the network's efficiency.
• With the conclusion of phase 2 of ICJS, there is an opportunity to augment its utility further.
• This can be achieved through the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, analytical tools, and an enhanced fingerprint system.