According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2023, India saw a sharp 28.8% increase in crimes registered against Scheduled Tribes (STs). The total number of cases rose from 10,064 in 2022 to 12,960 in 2023. The national crime rate for this category also increased from 9.6 to 12.4 per lakh population. 
Overall trends

• The surge in crimes against STs occurred even as certain other serious crimes, such as murder, saw a slight decline nationally.
• The increase in cybercrimes was even higher, with an increase of 31.2% in 2023.
• Crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs), by contrast, only had a marginal increase of 0.4% during the same period. 

Manipur: The worst-affected state

• The report paints a particularly grim picture for Manipur, which recorded a staggering 3,399 cases of crimes against STs.
• This represents a massive jump from just a single case registered in 2022 and no cases in 2021.
• The significant increase is linked to the ethnic violence that broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023.
• Specific incidents detailed in the report for Manipur include 1,051 cases of arson, 260 cases of dacoity, and 193 cases of intimidation or illegal land disposal against tribal communities. 

Other key states

• Madhya Pradesh: Registered the second-highest number of crimes against STs, with 2,858 cases.
• Rajasthan: Recorded 2,453 cases against STs in 2023. 

Common crimes against STs
The NCRB report found that the highest number of cases against STs were registered under simple hurt (2,757 cases), followed by riots (1,707 cases), and rape (1,189 cases). 
 
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is an Indian government agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), established in 1986 to serve as a central repository for crime and criminal data.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi and functions to collect, analyze, and disseminate crime statistics as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL).

Functions and Initiatives

• NCRB plays a pivotal role in modernizing India’s criminal justice system through technology-driven solutions.
• One of its key initiatives is the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), launched on August 17, 2022, by Home Minister Amit Shah.
• NAFIS maintains a national database of criminal fingerprints, assigning a unique 10-digit National Fingerprint Number (NFN) to each arrested individual, which remains linked to all their criminal records for life.
• As of October 31, 2024, the system contains 1.06 crore fingerprint records accessible in real time by law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Digital Platforms and Data Dissemination

• The NCRB manages the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS), a digital platform that integrates crime data across police stations and enables seamless information sharing between states and central agencies.
• It also publishes annual reports such as Crime in India, with the 2022 edition available through data.gov.in, providing detailed statistics on cognizable crimes, IPC offenses, SLL cases, and violent crimes including murder.

New Criminal Laws Implementation Support

To assist stakeholders in transitioning to the new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—the NCRB launched the "NCRB SANKALAN" mobile app. This application offers a comprehensive, searchable guide with side-by-side comparisons between old and new laws, visual charts highlighting key changes, and full-text access to the updated legal frameworks.
 
Organizational Structure and Leadership

The NCRB operates as an attached office of the MHA and is currently headed by Vivek Gogia (IPS), who serves as its director. The bureau was formed by merging several existing units, including the Directorate of Coordination and Police Computer (DCPC), the Inter-State Criminals Data Branch, and the Central Fingerprint Bureau of the CBI, based on recommendations from the National Police Commission (1977) and the Task Force (1985)

NCRB report 2023

• The NCRB Crime in India 2023 report shows a marginal increase in crimes against women to about 4.48 lakh cases with a national crime rate of 66.2 per lakh female population.
• Crimes against Scheduled Tribes rose sharply by 28.8% to 12,960 cases, with Manipur being the worst affected due to ethnic violence.
• Crimes against children increased by 9.2%, while juvenile cases also saw a slight rise.
• Overall, there was a 7.2% increase in total recorded crimes to 6.24 million cases, driven largely by a surge in cybercrime, which rose 31.2% to 86,420 cases.
• Traditional violent crimes like murder and rape declined slightly.
• Economic offences also saw a steady increase in 2023.

The report highlights a shift in crime patterns from violent crimes towards technology-driven and economic crimes, emphasizing the need for stronger cybersecurity and law enforcement capabilities in India.

Key Crime Trends in 2023 NCRB Report

• Total recorded crimes: 6.24 million, +7.2%
• Crimes against women: 4,48,211 cases, +0.7%
• Crimes against Scheduled Tribes: 12,960 cases, +28.8%
• Crimes against children: 1,77,335 cases, +9.2%
• Juvenile cases: 31,365 cases, +2.7%
• Cybercrime: 86,420 cases, +31.2%; major motives fraud, sexual exploitation, extortion
• Traditional violent crimes (murder, rape) declined slightly
• Economic offences increased by 6%

 Significant State Data

• Uttar Pradesh recorded highest cases of crimes against women
• Manipur recorded highest crimes against Scheduled Tribes, linked to ethnic violence
• Karnataka, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh showed highest cybercrime cases

The report signals a change in crime dynamics in India, with the digital ecosystem becoming a significant focus for crime control policies and law enforcement.

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