Cyber Crime Cases Rise Sharply to Over 86000 in 2023: NCRB Data
Officials said strengthening forensic infrastructure, improving coordination between agencies and enhancing technological capabilities remain critical to tackling the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Government expands forensic infrastructure and funding to strengthen cybercrime investigation capacity
New Delhi: Cyber crime cases in India have seen a sharp increase in recent years, with total registered cases rising to 86,420 in 2023, up from 65,893 in 2022 and 52,974 in 2021, according to data compiled by the national crime records bureau (NCRB).
The information was shared in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Tuesday.
The data, presented in the annexure table, highlights a significant upward trend in cyber offences across states, reflecting the growing scale and complexity of digital crime in the country.
Sharp rise in key states
Several states have reported a steep increase in cybercrime cases.
Karnataka recorded one of the highest numbers, with cases rising from 8,136 in 2021 to 21,889 in 2023. Telangana also saw a surge, with cases increasing from 10,303 to 18,236 during the same period.
Tamil Nadu reported a jump from 1,076 cases in 2021 to 4,121 in 2023, while Uttar Pradesh saw cases rise to 10,794 in 2023.
Bihar witnessed a sharp spike in 2023, reporting 4,450 cases compared to 1,621 in 2022, as seen in the state-wise table.
Mixed trends across regions
While many large states reported rising cases, some regions showed declining or fluctuating trends.
For instance, Assam reported a decline from 4,846 cases in 2021 to 909 in 2023, while Uttarakhand also saw a drop in cases over the same period.
Union territories collectively reported 817 cases in 2023, compared to 986 in 2022, indicating a slight decline, as detailed in the reply.
Strengthening cyber forensic infrastructure
To address the growing threat, the government has expanded cyber forensic and investigative capabilities.
A national digital investigation support centre has been established under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to provide early-stage forensic assistance to investigating officers.
Additionally, a national cyber forensic laboratory (evidence) has been set up in Hyderabad to support digital evidence analysis.
Expansion of forensic laboratories
India currently has 7 central forensic science laboratories and 27 state forensic science laboratories engaged in cybercrime investigation.
Before 2014, digital forensic facilities were available only in four central laboratories located in Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kolkata. Since then, additional facilities have been established in Pune, Bhopal and Kamrup, strengthening nationwide forensic capacity.
Financial support to states
The ministry of home affairs has provided assistance to 20 states and union territories under a Nirbhaya-funded scheme to strengthen DNA analysis and cyber forensic capabilities in state forensic labs.
As shown in the funding table, states such as Odisha, Telangana, Kerala and Chhattisgarh have received significant allocations to upgrade infrastructure and investigative capacity.
In addition, the government has sanctioned ₹116.5 crore under the Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women and Children (CCPWC) scheme for setting up cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories.
So far, such laboratories have been established in 33 states and union territories, enhancing capacity for investigation and training of personnel.
Growing challenge of digital crime
The data underscores the rapid expansion of cybercrime in India, driven by increasing internet penetration, digital payments adoption and online activity.
Officials said strengthening forensic infrastructure, improving coordination between agencies and enhancing technological capabilities remain critical to tackling the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
