NEW DELHI – The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released its Annual Report for 2024-25, revealing a concerning and steady rise in reported crimes against women and children across India. While the numbers have climbed significantly since 2020, the Ministry attributes this trend primarily to “higher reporting” driven by mandatory FIR registrations and increased public awareness.
Crime Against Women: A Statistical Breakdown
The report highlights a 15% jump in cases between 2020 and 2021, followed by a further 4% increase in 2022. By 2023, the total number of registered cases reached 4,48,211.
Major Crime Heads (2022 Data):
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Cruelty by Husband or Relatives: 31.4% (The most frequent offense)
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Kidnapping and Abduction: 19.2%
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Assault with Intent to Outrage Modesty: 18.7%
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Rape: 7.1%
The national crime rate stood at 66.4 per lakh of the female population in 2022. Regionally, Delhi, Haryana, and Telangana recorded rates significantly higher than the national average, which the MHA suggests may reflect stronger institutional responsiveness and a greater willingness among women in these areas to come forward.
Rising Concerns for Children
Crimes against children have also seen a persistent upward trajectory, with cases rising from roughly 1.28 lakh in 2020 to over 1.77 lakh in 2023.
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Kidnapping and Abduction: Accounts for 45.7% of all crimes against children.
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POCSO Act Cases: Child sexual abuse cases make up 39% of the total, leading to the establishment of 408 exclusive POCSO courts nationwide to expedite justice.
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Juveniles in Conflict with Law: The report noted that 37,780 minors were apprehended in over 30,000 cases during the reporting period.
Government Response and Legal Reforms
The MHA emphasized that the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on July 1, 2024, marks a shift toward a more victim-centric justice system.
| Key Measure | Description |
| Chapter-V Consolidation | All offenses against women and children are now grouped in the first substantive chapter of the BNS. |
| Stricter Penalties | Gang rape of a minor is now punishable by life imprisonment or death. |
| Technological Support | Introduction of Zero-FIR, e-FIR, and the mandatory audio-video recording of victim statements in sexual assault cases. |
| Support Infrastructure | 802 One-Stop Centres (OSCs) are now functional, providing medical, legal, and psychological aid under one roof. |
