Lucknow: The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2024 report has placed Uttar Pradesh in a significantly improved position on multiple crime indicators, highlighting a lower crime rate than the national average and strong performance in women’s safety and conviction rates.
According to the report, India recorded 35,44,608 total criminal cases in 2024, with a national crime rate of 252.3. Uttar Pradesh reported a considerably lower crime rate of 180.2, positioning the state at a relatively better rank among Indian states despite its large population share of nearly 17%.
UP’s Position Among Major Crime Categories
The NCRB data indicates that Uttar Pradesh has performed better than several large states in key crime categories:
- Murder cases: 29th position nationally
- Attempt to murder: 26th
- Rape cases: 24th
- Riots: 19th
- Extortion-related kidnappings: Ranked lowest (36th)
- Robbery: 28th
- Dacoity: 36th (lowest in the country)
- Crimes against women: 17th
- Crimes against children: 27th
Officials highlighted that rankings in lower positions indicate comparatively fewer incidents than many other states.
Women Safety: UP Tops Conviction Rate
One of the most striking findings in the report is Uttar Pradesh’s performance in conviction rates for crimes against women, where the state stands first in the country at 76.6%.
This is significantly higher compared to other states:
- West Bengal: 1.6%
- Karnataka: 4.8%
- Telangana: 14.8%
- Kerala: 17.0%
- Punjab: 19.0%
- Tamil Nadu: 23.4%
Officials said this indicates a strong likelihood of punishment for offenders in Uttar Pradesh, reflecting improved investigation and prosecution efficiency.
Low Crime Rates in Serious Offences
The report also highlights Uttar Pradesh’s relatively low rates in serious crimes:
- Murder rate: 1.3 per lakh population
- Lower than Telangana (2.7), Punjab (2.5), and Jharkhand (3.7)
Authorities also noted faster charge-sheeting and investigation processes in major cities:
- Kanpur: 84.4% charge-sheet rate in women-related cases
- Lucknow: 83.7% charge-sheet rate
Improved Jail Management and Judicial Efficiency
The NCRB report also reflects improvements in correctional infrastructure:
- Women’s prisons occupancy rate: 36.7%
- Central jail occupancy: 74.3%, lower than Punjab (118.4%) and Kerala (149.9%)
Officials said this indicates better prison management and reduced overcrowding compared to several other states.
Government Credits Zero-Tolerance Policy
Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna said the NCRB 2024 data confirms that Uttar Pradesh’s crime rate is significantly below the national average, which he described as evidence of the state’s “zero-tolerance policy against crime and criminals” under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
He stated that reforms such as modern police stations, women helplines, anti-Romeo squads, fast-track courts, and digital complaint systems have strengthened law enforcement over the past nine years.
Faster Police Response and Digital Policing
The DGP further emphasized that Uttar Pradesh Police remains accessible and responsive, with a focus on:
- Immediate registration of complaints, including digital grievances
- Conversion of genuine complaints into FIRs without delay
- Strengthened 1912 helpline services
- Dedicated women help desks in all police stations
He said higher reporting reflects greater transparency and accessibility rather than increased crime alone.
The NCRB 2024 data suggests that Uttar Pradesh, despite its large population and complex urban-rural landscape, has shown measurable improvement in crime control, particularly in serious offences and women’s safety outcomes. Officials claim the findings reinforce the state’s position as an emerging model of strengthened law and order management in India.
