According to the latest Crime in India 2023 report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Uttar Pradesh registered 10,794 cybercrime cases in 2023, marking an increase from 10,117 cases in 2022. This places the state third nationally, behind Karnataka (21,889 cases) and Telangana (18,236 cases).
Nationally, cybercrime rose sharply by 31% with a total of 86,420 cases reported in 2023, underscoring the growing digital threats across India.
Crime Rate: A Safer Picture for UP
Despite the absolute number of cybercrime cases being high, Uttar Pradesh, with nearly 17% of India’s population, presents a different picture when assessed by crime rate.
- Overall crime rate in UP (2023): 181.3 per lakh population
- National average crime rate: 270.3 per lakh population
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This ranks UP 20th among 28 states and 8 Union Territories, indicating that the state is safer than most when population size is factored in.
A senior police official emphasized:
“While the absolute number of cases is high, the crime rate in Uttar Pradesh – 4.6 per 100,000 people – is far lower than Telangana (47) or Karnataka (32.3). The population base must be kept in mind to assess the real picture.”
Convictions Strengthen Cyber Policing
The NCRB data also highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s strong conviction rate in cybercrime cases, the highest in the country. Officials credit specialized cyber police units and dedicated cybercrime stations for expediting investigations, securing digital evidence, and ensuring successful prosecutions.
This performance, they argue, demonstrates UP’s seriousness in tackling digital crimes such as online fraud, phishing, identity theft, and financial scams.
Broader Crime Trends in Uttar Pradesh
Beyond cybercrime, the NCRB 2023 report places UP below the national average in several grave categories:
- Murder and attempt to murder
- Dacoity and robbery
- Rioting
- Crimes against women and children
These trends show progress in controlling conventional crimes even as cybercrime emerges as a dominant challenge.
A Dual Reality
The NCRB 2023 findings paint a dual picture of Uttar Pradesh: a state grappling with rising cybercrime numbers yet achieving lower crime rates overall and leading the nation in cybercrime convictions.
As India’s digital economy grows, experts stress that Uttar Pradesh’s experience underscores the importance of scaling cyber policing capacity nationwide, ensuring that both urban and rural populations are shielded from online fraud and scams.
